A closure order has been put in place on a home in Bury St Edmunds following anti-social behaviour and drug-related activity that would cause a "serious nuisance" to the public.
West Suffolk Council, along with Suffolk police and Havebury Housing Partnership, applied to Suffolk Magistrates' Court to implement an order on the address under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, on Wednesday.
The order bans anyone from entering the home, in Wollaston Close, for at least three months. Employees and contractors are exempt.
The property in Wollaston Close (Image: West Suffolk Council)
West Suffolk Council can apply for an extension if required.
It follows months of agencies working together to stem drug-related activity and ant-social behaviour at the home.
Magistrates granted the order after being satisfied that there was a risk of “disorderly, offensives or criminal behaviour,” likely to result on “serious nuisance to members of the public” and there is likely to be “disorder near those premises associated with the use of those premises.”
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Councillor Donna Higgins, cabinet member for families and communities at West Suffolk Council, said: “For any resident, living next door or close to an address where there is persistent crime and anti-social behaviour, can leave them in a heightened state of fear, stress and anxiety.
"Previous attempts and interventions to resolve this issue have failed and enough is enough. That is why, with the support of Havebury and the police, we have successfully applied for this court order to give residents some peace in their own homes.”
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Inspector Andy Beeby, of Bury St Edmunds police, said: “Such actions are a last resort, but we have a duty and are prepared to act in response to complaints of anti-social behaviour which have a detrimental impact on the quality of life for those residents affected.
"Suffolk Police worked with Havebury and West Suffolk Council to carry out joint reassurance visits to nearby residents and we hope this will improve the quality of life for them. It also sends the message that this type of ASB activity will not be tolerated and that we will take action.”
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