A house which was plagued by anti-social behaviour and was believed to have been used for the sale and use of Class A drugs has been shut down.

The property in Newcastle Close, Stevenage, was raided for a fourth time by police last month, leading to magistrates handing down a three-month closure order on it.

Stevenage Safer Neighbourhood Team officer, PC Lindsey Cox, said: “This is another excellent 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 such a misery for neighbours, and improve the quality of life for our local communities.

“I hope this sends a clear message to others who think they can commit drugs offences in their homes, which has a detrimental impact on those living around them – that we can and will close your house, whether privately or council/housing association owned.”

Herts police and Home Group housing association applied for the closure order after complaints by people living near the address that it had become a site for anti-social behaviour and drug taking.

This was granted at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on September 11 and means that no one will be able to enter or use the address for the next three months.

The police raided the house on August 24 and arrested a 53-year-old woman on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

She has been bailed until Friday, October 30.