Fourth closure order in concerted drugs clampdown

The latest order which applies to 16 Charterhouse Street was granted by Teesside Magistrates on August 5th following an application by the Hartlepool Community Safety Team.

The application was made as a result of serious criminal activity, disorder and anti-social behaviour occurring in and around the property.

It follows three others granted on properties in the same area on July 26th – 22 Charterhouse Street, 4 Rugby Street and 30 Rugby Street.

Nicholas Stone, Neighbourhood Safety Team Leader with Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “We are determined to clampdown on criminal and anti-social behaviour which adversely affects the lives of law-abiding residents.

“I hope this latest order serves to send out a clear message that we will not tolerate such behaviour and are determined to clampdown on it.

“The Hartlepool Community Safety Team will be carrying out further work in the Oxford Road area this year to tackle on-going issues, and we would urge residents to support us by reporting crime and anti-social behaviour occurring in their neighbourhoods.”

16 Charterhouse Street has been sealed off

Closure Orders last for a period of three months, and anyone who enters or remains in a particular property during a closure period – with the exception of named persons exempted by the court – commits a crime.

A breach of a Closure Order is punishable with a fine of up to £5,000, imprisonment of up to 51 weeks or both. Anyone witnessing a breach should call the police on 999 or, alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

In total, the Hartlepool Community Safety Team has now been granted 13 Closure Orders across the town since October last year.

Criminal activity and anti-social behaviour can be reported by emailing community.safety@hartlepool.gov.uk or calling (01429) 523100. Alternatively, they can call Cleveland Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.