Three-month property closure order secured following anti-social behaviour

A property being used as a hub for anti-social behaviour has been served a closure order in a serious crack-down by Staffordshire Police and Stoke-on-Trent City Council enforcement teams.

Following reports and concerns raised by local residents around a property on Sunnyside Avenue in Tunstall, both the police and the council’s antisocial behaviour team have worked together to gather evidence for a property closure order.

The order that went through the North Staffordshire Justice Centre was implemented on June 27 and will last for three months. This will mean that, aside from the landlord, nobody is allowed to enter the property and will be committing an offence if they do so. The property has also been secured.

Now the council is looking to take stand-alone tenancy enforcement action, which will aim to further eradicate the impact that this property has had on the local community.

Councillor Majid Khan, cabinet member for community safety and resilience, said: “We know the issues with this property were having a negative impact on the community and we took action. Everybody should be able to feel safe in their local area and we are committed to ensuring that we tackle any type of anti-social behaviour swiftly and successfully with our partners.

“This case is just another example of how we are reclaiming our streets and building a safer, stronger and more confident city for everyone.”

Sergeant Chris Gifford, from Stoke North local policing team (LPT), said: “This order will be policed rigidly, with anybody not adhering to the mandates of the court being dealt with in accordance with the powers that this closure gives.

“We will continue to take action against those who engage in anti-social behaviour across our towns and cities as proactively as possible with our partners.

“I would encourage anyone experiencing issues with this type of offence to get in touch with us by calling 101 or through the Live Chat facility on our website.”

This latest enforcement action comes as the council, with the support of the police, are taking a proactive approach to antisocial behaviour under the campaign ‘Making Great Places’.

Any residents who are suffering anti-social behaviour in their area are encouraged to report their concerns to the council by calling 01782 234234 or online at www.stoke.gov.uk/asb.