Court grants Closure Order on house

Teesside Magistrates granted an application by the multi-agency Hartlepool Community Safety Team in respect of 18 Mapleton Road. Costs of £1,103.90 were also awarded.

The court heard that the tenant allowed anti-social behaviour and crime to occur by having frequent visitors to the address on foot, in cars and on motorbikes. These visits would take place throughout the day and carry on until the early hours of the morning.

Neighbouring residents complained about drug dealing from the alley gate at the rear of the property.

18 Mapleton Road

Councillor Brenda Harrison, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “The fact that we have now secured 12 Closure Orders on domestic properties in the last 12 months demonstrates our determination to protect law-abiding residents.

“Anti-social and criminal behaviour can have a seriously detrimental effect on their quality of life and we want to make it clear that it won’t be tolerated.”

Jonathan Brash, Hartlepool MP and Chair of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, said: “This is another property shut down due to the proactive action of our police and Council to tackle anti-social behaviour. Let this message continue to go out across Hartlepool to the small minority who think it’s okay to disrupt the lives of the decent majority - we will come after you and we will remove you. Play by the rules of the law-abiding majority or face the consequences.” 

Chief Inspector Andy Liddell, of Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “It is unacceptable for a minority of people to cause misery and suffering for other law-abiding citizens in our communities.

We will not tolerate this behaviour, nor should the communities of Hartlepool. We take all reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and work closely with our partners to tackle issues brought to our attention. To secure a twelfth closure order in 12 months demonstrates our commitment to dealing with the issues of anti-social behaviour in our neighbourhoods. Please report any concerns to us on 101.”

The Closure Order will remain in force for three months. The maximum penalty for breaching an order is six months imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Anyone who witnesses a breach should call Cleveland Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.