Tenants evicted after drug related activity at house

The closure order was granted for the property on Ashleigh Court in a case heard at Chesterfield Justice Centre on Thursday, August 25.

It follows a series of reports and complaints about drug related activity, public order and nuisance behaviour to police and the council over a period of several months.

The council and property owners, Guinness Partnership, had tried on several occasions to talk to the individual to resolve the problems but the tenant refused all contact.

Magistrates granted the order under the anti-social behaviour, crime and policing act as they believed that the use of the premises has resulted in serious nuisance to members of the public and that a closure order was necessary to prevent the nuisance or disorder from continuing.

Sergeant James Shirley, who leads the Eckington Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Anti-social behaviour can have a negative impact on the lives of other local residents. This is a great example of communities pulling together to stand up to anti-social behaviour, and utilising the law to make the community better for all.

“We will continue to actively work with partners to target of anti-social behaviour, crime or drug related activity and I would urge anyone with concerns to report them to the police so that we can investigate and take appropriate action where necessary.”

Councillor Jeff Lilley, Cabinet Member for Community Safety at North East Derbyshire District Council, said: “We made several attempts to talk to the tenant and sort out the problems, but they simply would not talk to us. So, in the interests of the community, we obtained a closure order that will remove the problems completely and allow local people to sleep easy at night and enjoy their properties and quality of life.

“It’s simply not acceptable for people to do what they want with no regard for others and this should serve as a warning that we will not put up with crime and anti-social behaviour of any type and we will take the toughest measures at our disposal to tackle the problem.”

The closure order is for three-months, but the authorities can apply for a three-month extension prior to the expiry of the order, and it is an offence if any person tries to enter the property.

To report concerns about the misuse of drugs, suspicious activity or anti-social behaviour contact Derbyshire police on 101, the non-emergency number, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.