HOUSING bosses have named and shamed two Greenock drug dealers after booting both of them out of their homes.

The pair were evicted by River Clyde Homes along with an anti-social tenant who had been making his neighbours' lives a misery.

Bosses at RCH say their removal underlines a tough zero tolerance approach.

The housing association was granted an order by a sheriff to end the tenancy of William Robertson, from Belville Street, for drug dealing in the vicinity of his home.

Robert Meechan, of Ann Street, was also removed for drug dealing from his home.

Meanwhile the housing association successfully obtained an order to evict John Glancy, also of Ann Street, for 'persistent anti-social behaviour by him and his visitors'.

Staff from River Clyde, Police Scotland and Inverclyde Council’s community wardens team have been working together on a crackdown on criminality and supporting law-abiding tenants who are affected by it.

The aim of their newly-formed 'Partnership Hub' is to find a co-ordinated approach to tackling community problems.

Area commander Chief Inspector Paul Cameron stated: "This kind of toxic anti-social behaviour remains a focus for police in Inverclyde.

"We will continue to work with our partners to find joint solutions [to problems] which often cannot be resolved in isolation and will pursue individuals involved using the strongest possible legal action against them."

Councillor Tommy McVey, chair of Inverclyde police and fire scrutiny committee, welcomed the successful tactics.

He said: “There’s absolutely no place for anti-social behaviour in our communities and we’re pleased to support our partners at River Clyde Homes and local police in driving selfish behaviour out of our towns and villages.

“Inverclyde on the whole is a safe and welcoming place to live but we must do all we can to stamp out a small minority who want to ruin that for others.”

Elaine Cannon, a senior manager with RCH, added: "Tackling anti-social behaviour during the pandemic has been challenging, however positive partnership working with Police Scotland and Inverclyde Council’s wardens has assisted the association to obtain orders at court to evict three tenants.

"River Clyde Homes will continue to take action against tenants who persistently act in an anti-social manner and cause disorder in our communities and this could lead to them losing their home."

*If you’re a River Clyde Homes tenant you can report anti-social behaviour 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 0800 013 2196 for free from a mobile or landline. In an emergency call Police Scotland on 999.