Court grants Closure Order on Hartlepool flat

Teesside Magistrates approved an application from the multi-agency Hartlepool Community Safety Team in respect of 27 Lowthian Road.

The order will remain in place for three months, and costs of £1,834 were awarded.

The magistrates were told that neighbouring residents had complained about drug dealing, violence and anti-social behaviour at the end-of-terrace ground-floor flat which is on a walking route to local schools and shops.

Visitors would come and go on foot, e-scooters, bikes and in vehicles during the day and at night.

Some of the visitors would shout through the letterbox to purchase drugs and drug deals would take place in the backstreet.

Windows at the property have previously been smashed with a golf club, one person has been stabbed in the face and there have been reports of the occupants being in possession of swords and knives.

Councillor Brenda Harrison, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council and a member of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, said: “This is another significant success for the Hartlepool Community Safety Team and, hopefully, it reinforces the message that we are not prepared to tolerate criminal and anti-social behaviour.”

27 Lowthian Road

 

Jonathan Brash, the Chair of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership and Hartlepool MP, said: “This is 16th such closure in the year since I became the Chair of the safer Hartlepool partnership and it shows our absolute determination to take the fight to the anti-social and criminal minority who disrupt the lives of decent Hartlepool people. As MP my message remains absolutely clear, if you make the lives of ordinary people worse we will come after you, using every power at our disposal to take the toughest action possible. We will always put the majority first.  Well done to all the brilliant officers who make this action possible.”

Acting Inspector Dave Barker of Hartlepool Police Neighbourhoods said: “Nobody should have to live with drug dealing and the anti-social behaviour that comes with it in their community. We will not tolerate such behaviour and will continue to take action against anti-social behaviour in our communities.”

The maximum penalty for breaching a Closure 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.

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