Rowdy residents in Oxford who have committed serious acts of anti-social behaviour could be denied access to council housing under proposals being discussed today.

The proposal is designed to penalise "nuisance neighbours", discouraging antisocial behaviour and benefiting more deserving tenants.

However, residents' groups are concerned it will just move the problem, rather than solve it.

Under proposals, due to be considered by Oxford City Council's executive board as part of a review of housing allocation policy, people who have previously lost their tenancy through the courts because of antisocial behaviour or persistent non-payment of rent could be refused council housing.

The change would mean the council could turn down tenants like Blackbird Leys resident Gerald Ryan, 43, who was given a three-month suspended prison sentence in April for breaching an injunction ordering him to keep the peace.

Oxford County Court heard that Ryan, also known as Jedi, abused his neighbour, who was not named, and threatened to stab him.

Val Smith, the council's executive member for housing, said: "We need to show people that there are serious consequences when they commit antisocial behaviour or consistently refuse to pay their rent.

"The courts can issue a possession order one day, and the next day the council could still be expected to rehouse people who have been found guilty of serious anti-social behaviour.

"With a shortage of affordable properties in Oxford, this needs to change and priority must be given to individuals and families who will treat their house and neighbours with respect."

Vim Rodrigo, chairman of the Rose Hill Residents' Association, said: "They might be noisy in one area and go to another area and the problems start there. In Rose Hill, we seem to get people who are thrown out from other areas. I would like to find out exactly what the council's policy is going to be."

Two years ago, the council established its Crime and Nuisance Action Team to investigate claims of rowdy and threatening behaviour by neighbours.