Residents in West Lothian street say council tenant is still causing 'chaos' despite ASBO

Daily Record

28-05-2025

People living in the street claim the local authority has failed to assess how they would be affected
Concerned residents in a West Lothian street say they're sick of a 'chronic pattern' of antisocial behaviour that has included harassment, verbal abuse, threats and damage to property.
They claim a council tenant in Riddochill Crescent, Blackburn is causing 'chaos' and his behaviour is having a detrimental effect on the wellbeing of residents some of them elderly or vulnerable.
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Residents claim objects been thrown and antisocial behaviour is occurring at all times of day and night, which is affecting elderly residents, young children and people with disabilities.
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West Lothian Council say the individual is already the subject of an ASBO (Antisocial Behaviour Order) but those living in the street say that isn't deterring further incidents.
'The whole street is being affected, this person is causing chaos,' one resident told the West Lothian Courier. 'The guy is so volatile and it's all unprovoked, there's been damage to people's property.
'The house he's in was previously privately owned but the council bought it back and placed him in it a few months ago, since then it's been a nightmare.
'The police gave me advice on CCTV and other stuff to ensure I remain safe, it's things that I never expected to have to do.
'This isn't the first problem tenant in the street, they placed a paedophile here previously. Two of the houses in the street are being used for temporary housing and they're rotating individuals who are coming out of prison.
'I've asked the council what they're doing to risk assess when they place them here. They have a responsibility to have safeguards for people living here. Private owners are having to fork out to pay for damage, which the council takes no accountability for.
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'The community needs to be aware if they're putting dangerous people in these houses, so we can take measures accordingly.'
The resident claims that West Lothian Council is not taking legitimate complaints seriously enough and despite an ASBO being in place it has failed to deter the problematic behaviour.
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Another resident voiced their concerns over what's been going on, saying: 'It's happening at all hours of day and night.
"I know they have to place them somewhere but there's been no assessment of how this would affect others in the street, such as the elderly and people with kids. We had a paedophile staying in this street previously, and we only found out after he moved.'
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: 'We are aware of issues around antisocial behaviour in this area, and will continue to work with our partners at Police Scotland to try and resolve them.
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'West Lothian Council operates a structured and transparent Housing Allocations Policy, which is designed to balance housing need with community safety. Where concerns are raised about a tenant's behaviour, these are recorded and may influence future decisions.
'Whilst we cannot go into details of individuals, a formal Antisocial Behaviour Warning has already been issued following corroborated complaints. We would encourage any residents affected to continue to report any incidents and keep a record of events to help provide the council and Police Scotland with the robust evidence we would need to take this further if required.'
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A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 2.15am on Wednesday, 21 May, 2025, officers received a report of a disturbance on Riddochill Crescent, Blackburn.
'A 44-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection and was released on an undertaking to appear at Livingston Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 18 June, 2025.'