Police secure three-month closure order on Hemel flat after complaints about suspected drug use

Police have successfully secured a full closure order on an address in Hemel Hempstead following complaints about suspected drug use and anti-social behaviour.

The property – a flat owned by Dacorum Borough Council – is in Heather Way, close to the junction with George Street.

The address and its occupant(s) were subject to an investigation following numerous complaints.

In addition, there have been two drug warrants carried out by police over the last 24 months, with drug paraphernalia found on each occasion.

The tenants’ behaviour was having a detrimental effect on neighbours living in the same block so officers from Dacorum Police’s Community Safety Unit worked in close partnership with the borough council’s Tenancy Enforcement Team to gather evidence for the closure order.

On Wednesday, May, 5, the police were granted a three-month Closure Order at St Albans Magistrates’ Court, under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

For the next twelve weeks, no-one can enter the property apart from Dacorum Borough Council, utility companies in an emergency and the emergency services.

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

In the interim, police and council colleagues will be working together to achieve a more permanent solution to the issues.

Where closure orders are granted, the local authority or housing association can utilise specific legislation to seek full possession of the property.

Sergeant Mike Saunders, from the Dacorum Community Safety Unit, said: “We hope this closure order will provide some respite from the ongoing issues suffered by neighbours and improve the residents’ quality of life within the local community.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe and happy in their home, and no one should be subjected to chronic anti-social behaviour issues.

"If you engage in this type of activity then you can expect your home to be the next target for us.

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

Cllr Margaret Griffiths, Dacorum Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing said: “We trust that the granting of this closure order will bring some relief to other residents of the block.

"The order sends a clear message that anti-social behaviour of this kind will not be tolerated and our officers will continue to work closely in partnership with the police to ensure that appropriate action is taken where 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.

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