Court orders closure of flat

A District Judge approved an application by the multi-agency Hartlepool Community Safety Team and granted a three-month order in respect of 6 Pinero Grove at a hearing contested by the tenant. He also awarded costs of £1,338.

Evidence submitted to the judge detailed how neighbouring residents had been forced to put up with noise nuisance and constant visitors to the Thirteen Group property throughout the day and night. Motorbikes would also call at the property, their riders wearing balaclavas, at all hours and there were fights involving crow bars between the tenant and visitors in the communal front garden.

Thirteen’s Director of Operations Kay Glew said: “This property has been at the centre of all kinds of incidents, causing considerable distress to people living in the area.

“Nobody should have to put up with behaviour that damages their quality of life and our staff have worked tirelessly alongside Hartlepool Borough Council and the police to investigate and gather the evidence needed to secure this Closure Order in court.”

6 Pinero Grove

Councillor Brenda Harrison, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “This is a great example of how partnership working between agencies can tackle crime and anti-social issues ruining the lives of law-abiding residents.”

Jonathan Brash, Chair of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership and Hartlepool MP, said: “This is the 17th such closure since I became Chair of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership and it is the result of the hard work of officers in the Police and Council. One rogue property in an area can cause extraordinary distress to residents and harm to communities and we simply will not tolerate it. We will use every power at our discretion to drive these people out of our communities.”

Acting Inspector Dave Barker 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 with criminal and anti-social behaviour.

“We take all reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and work closely with our partners to tackle issues brought to our attention. We won’t tolerate this behaviour, nor should the communities of Hartlepool. Please report any concerns to us on 101.”

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.