Problem property in Stockton closed down

A Stockton property at the centre of suspected drug dealing and constant anti-social behaviour has been shut down.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, in partnership with Cleveland Police, secured a Closure Order at the property on Hartington Road on Wednesday, 5 July.

The order means the tenants must not enter the property and it will be inaccessible to anyone for three months.

The property - a block of flats - has been boarded up and anyone who tries to enter can be prosecuted.

Teesside Magistrates' Court heard that residents living near the property felt intimidated, were unable to sleep, and were scared to leave their homes.

Witnesses gave accounts of people visiting the flats by car, foot and bike at all hours of the day and night, with reports of people urinating in the street and behaving disruptively, including screaming, shouting, swearing and using threatening language.

The court heard reports of drug paraphernalia and bottles of alcohol littered around.

And the court was told that people witnessed fighting and, on some occasions, weapons such as axes and machetes were being used. One witness said they recalled a stabbing at the property.

Councillor Norma Stephenson, the Council's Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety, said: "The frightening activities in and around this property have disrupted innocent people's lives and this kind of behaviour will simply not be tolerated. 

"People have the right to live peacefully, without fear of leaving their homes. I hope this Closure Order will bring an end to months of misery and improve the lives of neighbouring residents.

"I'd like to thank our Civic Enforcement Officers for their hard work and dedication to help secure the Closure Order alongside the local policing team and ward councillors."

Cleveland Police Chief Inspector, Jon Willoughby, said: "Our local policing teams work hand-in-hand with the community safety department from Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council to reduce crime and tackle the misery caused by anti-social behaviour and drug dealing.

"Following a police search warrant executed in Hartington Road, a premises closure has now been granted and executed by the local authority with the help of the neighbourhood police team. We will continue to work together to make Stockton a safer place to live."

Anyone worried about crime where they live can report it to police on 101.