A RENTED house, said to be a focus for anti-social behaviour and drug-taking, has been made subject of a closure order.

Police have secured the closure of the terraced house, in Easington Colliery, County Durham, under new anti-social behaviour legislation.

Only the second such order sought by the Durham force, it relates to a now boarded-up, three-bedroomed mid-terrace property, in Browning Street.

An application made, under the Anti-social Behaviour and Crime and Policing Act 2014, was granted by North Durham magistrates, sitting at Peterlee.

The order, which remains in place until January 31, prohibits anyone from entering the premises.

As the expiry date approaches, local officers will assess the situation, following further discussion with the landlord.

Inspector Darren Walton said: “The order was sought because of high levels of anti-social behaviour and drug use at that address, by both tenants and visitors alike.

“It was also being visited on a regular basis by a number of our target criminals.

“Their actions were causing intimidation, alarm and distress to law-abiding people in the area.”

He added: “We believe the closure will make a significant, positive difference to those living in Browning Street.”

There is a potential penalty of up to £5,000, imprisonment, or both, for anyone breaching the order.

It follows the imposition of the first closure order under the new legislation in the force area, last week, when a house in Spennymoor was boarded up after similar complaints.