Closure Order granted on house

Teesside Magistrates granted a Closure Order application by the multi-agency Hartlepool Community Safety Team in respect of 63 Duke Street. Costs of £1,797 were awarded.

The court heard how visitors would regularly turn up at the property in vehicles and on foot, including in the middle of the night, and they would shout and scream to gain the attention of the tenant.

The Closure Order which will remain in place for three months, followed the granting of a temporary order just days earlier. This limited access to the property, but was subsequently breached on two occasions.

63 Duke Street

This is the latest in a series of successful applications by the Hartlepool Community Safety Team as part of a determined drive to tackle criminal and anti-social behaviour.

A Hartlepool Borough Council spokesperson said: “This is another great example of effective partnership working under the umbrella of the Hartlepool Community Safety Team to protect law-aiding residents.

“The support of residents was key to this excellent result and we would urge people to continue supporting us by contacting Cleveland Police on 101 – 999 in an emergency – or Hartlepool Borough Council on community.safety@hartlepool.gov.uk to report crime and anti-social behaviour. Reports can also be made anonymously to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.”

PC Kieth Robinson from the Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Crime and anti-social behaviour in communities will not be tolerated by Cleveland Police and our partners. Support from residents has helped us obtain the Closure Order and deal with these people robustly.

“The order will now prevent these people from returning to the property and allow those in the community to live peacefully without criminal and anti-social behaviour on their doorstep.”

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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