LANDLORD LINE

LANDLORDS that suspect their tenants are involved in criminal activity can now report information anonymously via a new police hotline.

Around 2,500 landlords across Coventry have received letters encouraging them to participate in the ‘Tenant Watch’ scheme.

Information provided this year by property owners has led to lodgers being prosecuted for a range of crimes, including drugs offences, identity fraud, vehicle crime and prostitution.

But Coventry police believe the number will persuade more landlords to come forward and voice any concerns.

Acting Sergeant Carolyn Witts, of Chace Avenue police station, said: “There is a lot of shared accommodation in the city; landlords may well stumble across evidence of, or hear about, criminal activity.

“I know of landlords who have seen stolen goods, weapons or drugs when visiting their properties. Tenant Watch makes it easier for them to reach a specialist officer and offers anonymity so they can speak to us in confidence.

“We’re not asking landlords to spy on tenants. We simply want them to be aware of what’s going on in their properties and to let us know if they’ve any concerns over their tenants’ activities or behaviour.”

Sgt Witts also said that there had been strong interest from landlords in the initiative, and has stressed they have nothing to fear from reporting criminal activity discovered in a property they own.

She added: “It seems some landlords believe they could be liable for anything untoward found at one of their properties. This is absolutely not the case and, similarly, it won’t damage their standing as an accredited landlord.

“We just want to offer a single point of contact and an opportunity for landlords to develop a relationship with our Tenant Watch officer.”

Shared accommodation tenants can also use the scheme to report issues or concerns they have with housemates.

The hotline number is 024 7653 9112 or contact crime reduction officer PC Mick Walters, who will oversee Tenant Watch, via email at m.walters@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk.