Operation Artemis sees a hat trick of house closures.

Redcar and Cleveland neighbourhood officers have thanked residents and partner agency colleagues as they achieved three house closure orders during the district’s Operation Artemis today.

Working with the community, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and housing providers Beyond and Accent Housing, the officers have spent recent weeks gathering evidence of repeated issues with crime and ASB at the properties.

A house in Whitby Close, Skelton was reported to be a centre of drug dealing, drug and alcohol misuse and associated ASB, with weapons being stored there and criminal damage caused both at the house and at neighbouring properties.

Neighbours had also complained of people drinking in communal areas, visitors shouting and screaming, dogs fouling and being left to roam unchecked as well as off road vehicles attending the property and blocking communal entrances and garden areas.

Over in Brotton residents had reported similar issues as well as criminal damage and threatening behaviour at a house on Railway Terrace.  

And at a privately rented house in Redcar’s Scott Street, police found weapons and evidence of drugs activity with vehicles visiting at all hours of the day and night, with nearby residents witnessing noise nuisance and violence in the street outside.

Neighbourhoods Inspector Neil Deluce said: “We were delighted to achieve three house closure orders which follow a lot of hard work to gather and collate the evidence we needed to ensure success at court today; I’d like to thank everyone involved for their input and support.

“I hope today’s result reassures residents that police and partners are listening to their concerns and acting on the information they provide; it complements the intelligence gathered by police and is a great help in securing an order.

“We’ve also demonstrated our ongoing commitment to do all we can to protect our communities from the harm and distress caused by nuisance and crime.  I can promise residents that we’ll continue taking decisive action against anyone who persists in making life a misery for the law-abiding majority.

“Finally I’d urge anyone who is experiencing similar issues to report to police; we are here to help you.”

Louise Graham-Smith, Director of Housing at Accent, added: “Accent Housing takes anti-social behaviour very seriously, as we want all our customers to feel safe in their homes. We have worked closely with Cleveland Police and other partner agencies to bring about this closure order and will continue to support our customers affected by anti-social behaviour.”

And Cllr Adam Brook, Cabinet Member at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council for Neighbourhoods, said: “This shows that the police, ourselves and partner agencies will do what it takes to make sure people are able to live in peace at home.

“Going to court to evict someone is never taken lightly but it is not something we will hesitate to do if necessary, whether that’s through supporting the police or taking the lead ourselves.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and for unwavering support for residents.”

If you are experiencing crime or ASB in your neighbourhood you can report online via the Cleveland Police website Contact us | Cleveland Police or by phoning 101.

If you don’t want to speak to police you can pass information anonymously to www.crimestoppers-uk.org or phone them on 0800 555 111.