Letchworth flat closed for three months by police following complaints of anti-social behaviour and suspected drug taking

A flat in Letchworth has been closed for three months by police following complaints about anti-social behaviour and suspected drug taking at the property.

Police were granted permission for a three-month closure of the flat in Kyrkeby at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

The court decided that it was likely that if they did close the flat than the person living there would ‘engage in disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour’ and cause a ‘serious nuisance to members of the public’.

Hertfordshire Constabulary worked in partnership with North Herts Homes to gather evidence in support of the closure order.

Both the police and the housing association had received numerous calls from members of the public reporting arguments at the address, noisy visitors and suspected drug dealing.

Letchworth Safer Neighbourhood Team PC Chris Adshead said: “Alongside our partner agencies, we have been responding to complaints about the behaviour of the resident and visitors to the address for many months.

“By taking this action to close the property, we hope to provide neighbours and the wider community with some respite from the ongoing issues at the address.

“This is great example of how the new Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act has given us greater powers so that we can take action against anti-social behaviour, which can become a blight and cause such misery for neighbours, and improve the quality of life for our local communities.”

The closure order prevents anyone from entering the property for three months and anyone who breaches the order can be arrested.