Closure order secured against disruptive Latchford address

Officers were granted the three-month closure order for the property on Bridgewater Avenue, Latchford, at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 25 September.

Working alongside neighbours in the immediate vicinity of the address and the housing agency responsible for the property, officers were successful in gathering a substantial amount of evidence from neighbours of a prolonged period disruptive and anti-social behaviour including drug dealing, starting unwanted fires near to the property and the nuisance riding of e-bikes and off-road vehicles.

All of this created a sense of panic and intimidation towards their neighbours, with many of them initially hesitant to approach police through fear of coming into direct confrontation with the occupants themselves.

However, a result of this joint effort between local officers, the neighbours and housing teams, the occupants have been ordered to leave the address and find alternative accommodation, with the property itself having all windows and doors be boarded up for the next three months.

Police Constable Andrew Schofield, of Warrington Central Beat Management, said:

“I am sure that anyone who is aware of this particular property will attest to how much of a misery the behaviour of the occupants caused to their own neighbours and the residents in the wider Bridgewater Avenue area.

“Not only this, due to the sheer number of incidents tied to the address in question, officer resources were considerably affected as patrols were frequently diverted in their direction simply because they did not know how to behave.

“Through this three-month closure order the property will be boarded up and inaccessible well into December, with anyone who enters facing a hefty fine or even a prison sentence.

“I am delighted to see that this troubled residence has now been shut down and, it goes without saying, it will have a positive impact on the community and shows we will take action when they are too frightened to do so themselves.

"We have also disrupted the supply of drugs in this area of Warrington and further reduced the number of illegal e-bikes and off-road vehicles being driven anti-socially on our streets, which is not only a great result for Warrington Central, but for the wider LPU.”

Tours Housing added:

“Police worked tirelessly to gather intelligence, which was crucial in building the case and securing this positive outcome.

“This successful action is the result of dedicated police work and collaboration. The Closure Order provides much-needed relief to the community and demonstrates a commitment to tackling issues that affect residents' quality of life.”