Closure Orders granted on village properties
Published Monday, 27th January 2025Two houses in the village of Greatham, near Hartlepool, have had Closure Orders placed on them following sustained anti-social and criminal behaviour at both properties.
Teesside Magistrates granted the orders on 17 and 27 High Street following an application from the multi-agency Hartlepool Community Safety Team.
Costs totalling £2,794 were also awarded.
Both properties are owned by the Greatham-based Hospital of God which worked closely with the community safety team to secure the orders.
The court heard that the tenants of both properties, along with frequent visitors, were involved in the same anti-social and criminal behaviour, including drug dealing, parties with loud music, shouting in the street and banging on doors.
The magistrates also heard that there was a constant flow of people coming and going between the properties and this would continue until the early hours of the morning.
Visitors would arrive on foot, in cars and on scooters and motorbikes, often riding along footpaths and up and down a lane at the back of the houses.

27 High Street, Greatham
Councillor Brenda Harrison, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “We cannot allow this kind of behaviour to ruin the lives of law-abiding residents, so I’m pleased that the magistrates have granted the Closure Orders.
“It is important that we send out a clear message that anti-social and criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.”
Hartlepool MP and Chair of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership Jonathan Brash added: “I’m very pleased to see this tough action. People in Hartlepool have a right to live in peaceful, safe communities and this should be a warning to all those who threaten that right - we will come after you. Crime and anti-social behaviour will never be tolerated and I’ll back the strongest possible actions to protect Hartlepool people.”

17 High Street, Greatham
Chief Inspector Andy Liddell of Hartlepool Neighbourhood Team said: “Drug dealing from properties in residential areas can make people’s lives a misery. Nobody should have to live with the antisocial problems that come with drug dealing in the community.
“The information we receive from the public on drug dealing activity enables us to apply for warrants or closure orders and deal with the issue. We would ask anyone with information on drugs in their neighbourhood to contact us on 101 or online at www.cleveland.police.uk .”
The Closure Orders which will remain in force for three months, prevent the tenants from accessing the properties.
The maximum penalty for breaching a Closure Order is six months imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Anyone who witnesses an order being breached should call Cleveland Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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