Properties in a Nottinghamshire town have been closed after they became a "magnet for drug-related crime". Police and Ashfield District Council obtained court orders for the houses in Collins Avenue, Sutton-in-Ashfield, following repeated reports of drug-related crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour.
The orders were issued on Friday, August 19 at Mansfield Magistrates' Court. A complete closure order was secured for one property, banning anyone from entering it for a period of three months.
Anyone who breaches the order, including the previous occupants, will be committing a criminal offence and could be fined or imprisoned. A partial closure was issued for the other property, which bans the occupant from the address.
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Inspector Jon Hewitt, district commander for Ashfield, said: “Today’s action should send a very clear message to residents who blight our communities with repeat criminal and antisocial behaviour. Drug dealing remains one of the policing priorities for Ashfield.
"When I started as the district commander I spoke of a carrot and stick approach. We will be really supportive to help those who are vulnerable or struggling to divert from crime and drug use.
"This is unfortunately the stick part of the approach we are embedding. If you deal drugs in Ashfield I will instruct my officers to come after your house, there is no place for dealing in Ashfield.
“These properties had unfortunately become a magnet for drug-related crime and disorder and we were very regularly being called by concerned local residents.
"It was frankly an intolerable situation that was having a huge negative impact on people living nearby.
"Working with the council’s Community Safety Team, we have listened to local residents and taken decisive action to protect them from further harm.
"I would urge other residents experiencing similar problems to keep in regular contact with us so we can take this kind of decisive action to stop such behaviour.’’
Councillor Helen-Ann Smith, Ashfield District Council cabinet member for community safety and crime reduction, said: “The council’s Community Safety Team has been working closely with the police to tackle issues across our estates and town centres in the district.
"This example demonstrates the work that is being undertaken to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour across the district.
"The Community Safety Partnership have secured £1.3 million within the last year to tackle such issues and promote feelings of safety for Ashfield residents.’’
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