Gentoo considers evicting those involved in riots

Demonstrators clashed with police during the riots in Sunderland

A housing association has said it could seek to evict tenants who were involved in rioting.

Gentoo, Sunderland's largest housing provider, said it was working with police to determine whether any of its tenants were convicted of a crime during the disorder earlier this year.

It said it was considering legal action against offenders, which could see it take back possession of properties from those who received "lengthy custodial sentences".

But councillor Allen Curtis, from Sunderland City Council, said he was "wary" of Gentoo "persecuting people when they have already done their time for the crime".

Disorder broke out in Sunderland on 2 August following the stabbing of three young girls in Southport.

During the riots, demonstrators clashed with police, damaged businesses and targeted mosques.

Dozens of people were arrested following the unrest, with many charged and awaiting sentence for violent disorder.

A spokesperson for Gentoo said: "Where our customers are found to be involved in anti-social behaviour or convicted of criminal wrongdoing, cases will be looked at on an individual basis.

"If it is established that a customer is in breach of their tenancy agreement, appropriate action will then be taken."

Steven Gordon, head of neighbourhoods at Gentoo, said each case would be looked at individually, and claiming property back would be the "extreme" option.

But Curtis warned if Gentoo took legal action against tenants it could add additional pressure to the city's homelessness services, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Gentoo said it worked closely with the council to tackle homelessness but also had a responsibility to take action where "the safety and cohesion of our communities is threatened".