TWO evictions, four injunctions, and more than 1,000 resolved cases have been achieved by a crack Dudley resident protection team in the past 12 months.

Dudley Council released the figures to show the success of its anti-social behaviour team, which encourages borough residents not to suffer neighbourhood misery in silence.

Councillor Steve Waltho, cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “One year ago this month we changed how we dealt with anti-social behaviour. Previously people who were suffering from neighbourhood nuisance were put in touch with different teams, depending on their issue.

"We now have just one team of 19 anti-social behaviour specialists, drawn from across the country, who are experts in their field. The simplicity of this approach and the extra skills that we now offer is benefiting our residents."

He continued: “No-one should have to live in constant fear and annoyance with their neighbours. If you are suffering from persistent noise nuisance, harassment, or anything else that is negatively affecting your life, give the anti-social behaviour team a call and they will advise you on what can be done.”

One man, who wished to remain anonymous, turned to the team after enduring months of abuse and threats of violence from a neighbour, who was later evicted.

He said: "I lived through an absolute nightmare. Every single day I was intimidated, threatened and shouted at and I reached the end of my tether.

“The anti-social behaviour team was brilliant. It wasn’t a quick fix because of all the processes that needed to be gone through, but I was advised and supported and the team got the result that I needed.

"Thanks to their actions I am now living a normal life again.”

Anti-social behaviour is any aggressive, intimidating or destructive activity that damages or destroys another person's quality of life - from fly tipping and vandalism to neighbour disputes.

Anyone who lives in Dudley borough can get advice from the team by calling Dudley Council Plus on 0300 5552345.