Nottinghamshire Police and Newark and Sherwood District Council secure closure order for Balderton flat which attracted anti-social behaviour and drug crime

A flat which had become a magnet for anti-social behaviour, and left neighbours feeling unsafe, has been closed by police.

Activity at the property, on Wolfit Avenue, Balderton, had been the subject of numerous calls about anti-social behaviour and drug-related crime for much of the last year.

A drugs warrant was also carried out at the address in October this year and a small quantity of Class A drugs were recovered.

Officers have now secured a closure order on the address after making a successful application to Mansfield Magistrates’ Court.

PC Anthea Brotheridge, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This flat had unfortunately become a magnet for antisocial behaviour — with high numbers of unsavoury characters coming and going at all times of the day.

“This led to a significant rise in drug-related crime and disorder, and we experienced a sharp rise in calls from people who were understandably worried for their safety.

“We simply won’t tolerate that kind of behaviour and will take firm action to protect law abiding residents in our community.

“So, in addition to the recent warrant executed at this address, we have also secured a closure order to ensure the previous tenant and their associates cannot return.

“We hope this serves as a warning to others who are behaving in similar ways towards their neighbours.”

The order, granted on November 21, prevents anyone from entering the property for a period of three months and will allow Newark and Sherwood District Council to secure possession of the property.

Anyone breaching the order during this time will be prosecuted.

Paul Taylor, portfolio holder for public protection and community relations at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This is another example where we’ve worked with the police to take action. In the past few months, we’ve worked with the police to secure a number of closure orders to keep our communities safe.

“We are committed to clamping down on anti-social behaviour and criminal behaviour and we will continue our successful partnership working with the police to ensure our reach is wide and our resources are strengthened.

“I also urge anyone who witnesses or experiences anti-social behaviour to report it to Nottinghamshire Police or the district council, so that we can take appropriate action."

Lee Brazier, portfolio holder for housing at Newark and Sherwood District Council, added: “We will not stand by and allow this behaviour in our district and as landlord, we do not allow tenants to flout the law and cause distress to nearby neighbours.

“We are dedicated to ensuring such behaviours do not go unpunished which is why our housing team have worked in partnership with the police to take action. We will not tolerate anti-social behaviour in our district, and we will take further action when necessary.”