Petrol bombing, drug dealing and fighting - problem Stockton property shut down

In partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, officers from Stockton's Community Action Team (CAT) helped to secure the closure order of 118 Londonderry Road at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 11 June.

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

Anyone trying to enter the boarded-up house can be prosecuted.

The Court heard reports of drug dealing at all hours of the day and night, a constant stream of people coming and going via taxis and shouting and fighting at the property.

Magistrates were told about an incident in which the property was petrol-bombed and the windows were smashed, leaving residents feeling shaken and scared.

Neighbours also reported people shouting through their letterboxes, urinating in the street and used needles outside. They said they feared for their safety and were unable to sleep. One neighbour said they were asked for money to buy drugs and were too fearful to decline.

Inspector Matthew Reeves, from Stockton Police's Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "The occupants and their associates of this property brought misery and at times serious violence to nearby residents. I am grateful that alongside our partners, we have now been able to close it down and remove the occupier and the trouble they brought along the way.

"I hope this demonstrates how we listen to resident's concerns, gather the information they provide to us, that goes on to be presented and successfully accepted by the courts. We will not stop taking positive action and doing all we can to make Stockton a safer place for all to live, work and visit.

"I want to urge anyone who has concerns about anti-social behaviour or other criminality in their community to please contact local officers and we will do all we can to address the issue."

Carolyn Nice, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Director of Adults, Health and Wellbeing, said: "Residents in this street told us they lived in what was once a "lovely area" until they began to experience the shocking anti-social behaviour from this property.

"Everyone has the right to live in peace and safety, and I'm really pleased that the closure order will put an end to their misery.

"Thank you to our Civic Enforcement Team, who have worked very diligently alongside our partners at Cleveland Police to secure this closure order."