A TOP policeman has left the beat in a bid to banish unruly tenants for Evesham and Pershore Housing Association.

Al Tandy retired as Pershore town beat manager last Saturday and is ready to take on his new role as the associations' first ever anti-social behaviour officer.

The 51-year-old, who is beginning his new role in April. He will be patrolling the associations' houses and is set to listen to any problems, collate information and target troublemakers.

From grubby gardens and litter louts to persistently noisy neighbours the message to anti-social tenants is "watch out".

"It is quite a wrench to leave the police after working for the force for 22 years, but it's a new challenge and a new chapter and I'm very proud to be the first anti-social officer for the housing association," he said.

Mr Tandy is able to take up the new role as a result of the Police Reform Act, which allows landlords and housing associations to appoint anti-social behaviour officers.