FORMER police houses have been put up for sale as a Freedom of Information request revealed thousands of pounds in council tax has been 'wasted' on the homes.

Former police houses at Fairfield, Hexham will be put on the housing market by the Office of Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) Susan Dungworth, whose spokesperson confirmed the properties are 'surplus to requirements'.

The homes were built almost 100 years ago, originally housing serving police officers and their families. They were later let out as social housing, but tenants were asked to leave over three years from 2015.

The PCC at the time, Vera Baird, had originally planned to sell the houses to bring in funds for the police.

The homes were all vacant by September 2017 and have since been a cause for concern for residents fearing anti-social behaviour.

Susan Dungworth succeeded Kim McGuinness in the PCC role in May.

Mayor and councillor for Hexham West, Derek Kennedy, has 'campaigned endlessly' attempting to get the homes back into use, citing the town's shortage of homes for families.

A Freedom of Information request by a Hexham resident also revealed the OPCC has paid £56,959.20 for council tax in the 2024/2025 financial year for the vacant properties.

This means more than £4,000 has been paid in tax for the homes each month.

Cllr Derek Kennedy said: “It’s been hugely frustrating to watch these substantial three and four-bed family houses be left to deteriorate over the last seven years.

"To read that £57,000 this year has been spent on council tax to service empty properties is a complete waste of money. I have campaigned endlessly to highlight the plight that these houses should have been used for Hexham families.

"We have such a shortage and these homes are in an excellent position near the school. We have just learned the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has now decided that they are putting the properties up for sale. I just wish these steps had been taken seven years ago and the police would not have ended up in this mess. I will be keeping a close eye on what happens next and how this site will be developed.

"I do hope a sympathetic development can be brought to this area with some social housing to be included as a minimum. But we look forward to seeing plans that come forward from any future developers.”

A spokesperson for the Office of Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner said: "One of the first tasks of the new Police and Crime Commissioner, following her election this May, was to review the current estate of Northumbria Police. She has determined that the properties are surplus to requirements and will be brought to the market for sale and allow for investment in policing."