Court grants house closure order

Published Friday, 5th June 2020

Community safety officials in Hartlepool have successfully applied for a Premise Closure Order on a house to tackle drug dealing from the premises.

District Judge Harrison, sitting at Teesside Magistrates Court, granted an application by Hartlepool Borough Council on behalf of the Hartlepool Community Safety Team in relation to 4 Fieldfare Road.

The three-month order was made under the terms of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

It runs until September 5th and makes it a criminal offence for any person to enter or to remain in the detached property during the closure period – apart from one named person and emergency service and other essential maintenance workers exempted by the court.

A breach of the order is punishable with a fine of up to £5,000, imprisonment of up to 51 weeks or both.

Anyone who witnesses the order being breached should call the police on 999 or they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111

The Closure Order was granted on the basis of disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour occurring at the property.

Tony Hanson, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Assistant Director (Environment and Neighbourhood Services), said: “By securing this Closure Order we want to send out a clear message that criminal activity will not be tolerated and we are committed to taking action against those involved in it.”

The Hartlepool Community Safety Team brings together staff from Hartlepool Borough Council, Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade with the aim of providing an effective multi-agency response to community safety issues.