THE number's nearly up for Preston's real-life neighbours from hell after plans were unveiled for professional witnesses to be deployed in the town's problem areas.

Preston Borough Council is investing £20,000 on sending professional witnesses - or private eyes - to keep watch and make notes on tenants who are behaving in an "extremely anti-social manner."

The witnesses will then stand up in court to testify when the council takes action against the tenants who, in many cases, have terrorised their neighbours for months at a time.

The council's action could result in fines, eviction or even prison for naughty neighbours.

The project was first considered two years ago by Preston Police and revealed by the Citizen.

Councillor Ken Cole, chairman of Preston's housing committee, explained that the project was only for the exceptionally badly behaved locals.

He said: "Sometimes people are afraid to report a neighbour. The professional witness will watch what is going on and will be able to testify in court because they cannot be intimidated.

"We have got some unsociable tenants who put other tenants in a position where they can't speak out against them.

"Sometimes people are very annoyed but are also afraid so the professional witnesses can play a very valuable role in such a situation."

The witnesses will also be used to prove that a problem doesn't exist.

Preston Police has discussed the idea of using professional witnesses for some time. Two years ago Insp Peter Tickle asked the council to consider using the scheme.

At the time Councillor Harold Parker, then chairman of Preston Council's working party on crime and vandalism, supported the plan because his cousin had been forced to leave the area, and start a new life in Ireland, after months of abuse from a neighbour.

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