Community safety team secures Closure Orders on flats

Closure Orders have been imposed on two more properties in Hartlepool as part of a determined drive to tackle antisocial and criminal behaviour across the borough.

Teesside Magistrates granted separate applications in respect of flats in Glamis Walk and Navigation Point.

The applications were made by the multi-agency Hartlepool Community Safety Team which brings together staff from Hartlepool Borough Council, Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade. 

These latest Closure Orders bring to ten the total number of orders obtained against domestic properties across the borough in the last nine months.

The ground-floor Glamis Walk flat is part of a complex comprising a number of other one-bedroom flats managed by Accent Group and Sanctuary Supported Living which supported the legal action.

The court heard that the tenant allowed anti-social and criminal behaviour to occur by having frequent visitors on foot and in vehicles throughout the day until the early hours of the morning. This prompted complaints from neighbours about drug dealing and drug use from the property and the presence of discarded drug paraphernalia, including needles, in the communal area of the complex.

There were also complaints about frequent noise nuisance including shouting, banging and kicking of the communal door to gain entry. The court heard that the communal door and lock had been broken on many occasions by the tenant and his visitors.

In respect of Navigation Point, action was taken against the tenant for behaving, and allowing visitors to behave, in a manner that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Neighbouring residents and the proprietors of nearby businesses complained that the tenant and his visitors created excessive noise. They also said the tenant engaged in shouting and swearing, foul and abusive language and verbal abuse, aggressive and violent behaviour and drug misuse.

Chief Inspector Andy Liddell, of Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “It is unacceptable for a minority of people to cause misery and suffering for other law-abiding citizens in our communities. We take all reports of antisocial behaviour seriously and work closely with our partners to tackle issues brought to our attention. We won’t tolerate this behaviour, nor should the communities of Hartlepool. Please report any concerns to us on 101.”

Jonathan Brash, MP for Hartlepool and Chair of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, said: “Let the message go out across Hartlepool, if you’re intent on fostering criminal or antisocial behaviour in your property, we are coming after you! You should expect to lose your home, because we will prioritise the safety and security of the decent majority over the antisocial minority at all times.”

Councillor Brenda Harrison, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “The fact that ten residential Closure Orders have been obtained in the last nine months shows our determination to tackle antisocial and criminal behaviour which ruins the lives of law-abiding residents.”

Teesside Magistrates granted costs of £2,300 in respect of Navigation Point and £2,403 in respect of Glamis Walk.

Both Closure Orders will remain in force for three months and they prevent the tenants from accessing the properties.

The maximum penalty for breaching a Closure Order is six months imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Anyone who witnesses an order being breached should call Cleveland Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.