MAGISTRATES have ordered the closure of a house after hearing that neighbours had endured months of anti-social behaviour and drug dealing.
Teesside Magistrates’ Court ruled that the property on Shaftsbury Road, Teesville, near Eston - rented from housing association Beyond Housing - be closed for a three-month period following the eviction of the female tenant.
Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council applied for the Closure Order with support from Cleveland Police and Beyond Housing, following an extensive investigation and repeated attempts to resolve the situation with the tenant.
The court heard that the female tenant, had allowed individuals involved in criminal activity to use the address, leading to escalating disorder that left residents, “fearful in their own homes”.
Escalating incidents, weapons and disorder
The council’s investigating Anti-Social Behaviour Officer explained in a report to the court that the first reports of drug activity at the property were received in October last year. Working closely with Cleveland Police, Beyond Housing and residents, the council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Officer recorded more than 25 reports of anti-social behaviour and criminality linked to the address.
Incidents included:
- Individuals entering and leaving the house at all hours of the day
- Reports of knives and on one occasion a machete being carried by people entering and leaving the property, including by males wearing balaclavas
- Loud arguments involving the screaming of extreme foul language, persistent loud noise and disturbances
- A group of 16 males racing up and down the street on bikes
- Numerous reports of anti-social use off‑road bikes, quad bikes, scooters and e‑bikes
- Intelligence reports indicating stolen goods were being stored and sold at the property
Residents reported feeling frightened, with their statements anonymised due to concerns about out reprisals.
The council issued warnings to the tenant and attempted to offer support to help her change her behaviour. Although the tenant accepted both a Community Protection Warning and later a more serious Community Protection Notice, the woman rejected offers of support and situation continued to deteriorate, particularly over the Christmas period.
On one visit to the property by the female council anti-social behaviour officer, a police officer and a colleague from Beyond Housing, the situation became volatile. In her written submission to the court, the council’s anti-social behaviour officer said the tenant became “angry and launched herself towards me” before snatching a letter from her. The officer stated: “This behaviour is completely unacceptable and I do not expect to be verbally abused or fear physical violence in my job role.”
A Beyond Housing Community Safety Officer also submitted a report to magistrates and explained how he prevented a possible physical attack. The officer also outlined numerous incidents and reports of anti-social behaviour dating back to September.
Council, Police and Housing Association, Beyond Housing respond
Following the Court Order, Councillor Neil Bendelow, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “People have the right to live their lives in peace in their own streets and homes. This kind of behaviour simply cannot be tolerated. Furthermore, we will never tolerate the abuse of our officers on the frontline who are working hard to improve lives. Going to court is a last resort and only follows attempts to improve the situation on the ground. I’d like to thank our officers and also the police and colleagues in Beyond Housing for their hard work. I’d also like to thank residents in the area for their support. I very much hope they can now have some peace.”
Greater Eston Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Anthony Ford added: “This address has been at the centre of almost constant antisocial behaviour, violence and drug dealing recently, and this is something we will not tolerate. The community has endured countless incidents of people attending the address day and night, many times on motorbikes and quadbikes, and some with weapons. There has been relentless noise nuisance, shouting and arguments, and people making violent threats. We welcome the closure order and we were pleased to be able to assist Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council by gathering supporting evidence, while taking enforcement action against criminality. To anyone choosing to take part in drug dealing or other criminal or antisocial activity – be assured there are consequences; we will deal with you and properties can and will be closed.”
Sarah Hall, Director of Housing at Beyond Housing, said: “Behaviour linked to this property caused significant distress to neighbouring residents and created an unacceptable level of disturbance to the community. We worked closely with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and Cleveland Police over a sustained period to address the issues and to protect those living nearby. This Closure Order demonstrates that we will take firm action where necessary to safeguard our communities, and we remain committed to working in partnership to ensure residents feel safe and secure in their homes.”