Chronic anti-social behaviour and suspected drug use lead to full closure order of Hemel Hempstead flat

A flat in Hemel Hempstead is off-limits after police secured a full closure order following reports of chronic anti-social behaviour and suspected drug use.

The property in Figtree Hill, off Queensway, was the subject of many calls to police and the behaviour of the occupant(s) was having a negative impact on the community, so police officers from the Dacorum Community Safety Unit (CSU) took action.

They gathered evidence for the full closure order application, and despite the property being privately owned, it was subsequently granted at St Albans’ Magistrates Court on Wednesday, May 5.

The order prohibits anyone – other than the emergency services, and utility companies in an emergency – from entering the premises for 12 weeks.

Anyone who breaches this order could be arrested, with further action taken against them.

Sergeant Mike Saunders, from the Dacorum Community Safety Unit, said: “We hope this result will provide some much-needed respite from the chronic issues suffered by neighbours and help improve their quality of life.

“We will not tolerate this type of behaviour so if you have information about suspected drug activity and anti-social behaviour in your neighbourhood, please don’t hesitate to report it to us because we will take it seriously.

“We will do all we can to prevent it from adversely affecting the lives of decent, law-abiding people who live nearby.

"I want to further reassure local residents that we will continue to monitor the situation and take further action if necessary.”

Anyone with information about anti-social behaviour or suspected drug activity in their neighbourhood can report information online, use online web chat or call 101.

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit their website www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

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