Teamwork hailed as drug dealing property closed

Published Thursday, 13th August 2020

Successful action to tackle drug dealing from a Hartlepool property has been hailed as a great example of teamwork.

Staff from the multi-agency Hartlepool Community Safety Team which comprises staff from Hartlepool Borough Council, Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade, worked together to build a case against the tenant of a terraced house in Carlton Street in the town centre.

This resulted in a court granting a two-week temporary Closure Order on the property, and before a further contested hearing could take place the landlord secured the surrender of the tenancy.

Residents had told the community safety team they were living in fear and unable to sleep, and they couldn’t let their children play outside in the rear alley due to people visiting the area under the influence of drugs.

They said people would come and go at all hours, shouting and screaming to the tenant to be sold drugs.

Chief Inspector Peter Graham who leads the community safety team, said: “Residents told us how the drug dealing activities centred on this property were ruining their lives, and we were not prepared to tolerate that.

“By working at a grassroots level we were able to gather evidence and build a strong case which enabled us to go to court and secure the temporary Closure Order. We were preparing for a further hearing when the landlord secured the surrender of the tenancy, bringing to an end the problems emanating from this property.”

Particular praise has been given to Police Community Support Officer Graeme Handley who carried out regular patrols in the area and built up a strong relationship with residents, encouraging them to report matters to him. This information was then referred to an anti-social behaviour officer within the team who prepared the case for court.

Chief Inspector Graham added: “Residents have subsequently told us how quiet the area now is, and they say they are very happy with the outcome.”

Councillor Shane Moore, Chair of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership and Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “This case is a perfect example of why the Hartlepool Community Safety Team was set up in the first place – to ensure a swift and effective response to community safety issues affecting local communities.

“We are not prepared to sit back allow law-abiding residents to have their lives ruined by criminal behaviour, and I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in bringing this matter to a successful conclusion.”

The Hartlepool Community Safety Team can be contacted on (01429) 523100 or community.safety@hartlepool.gov.uk Crimes should be reported to Cleveland Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. They can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.