Closure order imposed on house that was a focal point for drug users in Runcorn

A house that has blighted a community in Runcorn has been closed for three months.

Officers from the Runcorn Problem Solving Team applied for the closure order under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

This followed a large number of reports of drug dealing and anti-social social behaviour involving the address in Brookvale.

There have been reports of a large number of people coming and going at all hours and violent incidents at the house, some of which have spilled out onto the streets.

There have also been reports of members of the community being subjected to threatening and intimidating behaviour from people linked to the address.

Granted by Warrington Magistrates' Court Wednesday 21 April, the closure order makes it a crime for anyone other than the landlord to be at the house over the next three months.

Police Constable Andy Maskall, of the Runcorn Problem Solving Team, said: “The address had become a focal point for local drug users.

“The activities of people inside and outside the address was causing members of the community considerable alarm, harassment and distress, and had been doing so for a sustained period of time and showed no signs of abating.

“No-one should have to put up with that.

“We want every Runcorn resident to be able to live in their home without having to suffer from the effects of unacceptable issues stemming from neighbouring properties.

“We will use the full remit of the law to achieve that and to make Runcorn a better place to live, work and visit, as this case shows.

“It is another example of our commitment to targeting those who plague communities through their unacceptable behaviour.

“I have no doubt that the closure order will have a positive impact on the Brookvale area of Runcorn, and I hope that this case provides reassurance to residents and serves as a warning to others who incorrectly think that they can get away with making their neighbours’ lives miserable through anti-social behaviour.”

Officers will conduct regular checks of the house over the next three months to ensure that the order is not breached.

If anyone is found to have breached it they are liable to be arrested and face up to six months in prison, an unlimited fine or both.

PC Maskall added: “I want to thank the members of the public who played a key role in the closure order being secured.

“The information they supplied enabled us to gather the level of evidence needed for such an order to be imposed via the courts.

“I hope that this case encourages others to report and give statements regarding such behaviour at properties they live near.

“As this case proves, we will do something about it.”

To report criminal or anti-social behaviour in your community call Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or provide the details via https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.