A HOUSE has been closed for three months to try and tackle drug dealing from the premises.

Hartlepool Borough Council said the premises closure order for the house in Fieldfare Road had been granted after an application by the community safety team.

Tony Hanson, the council’s assistant director for environment and neighbourhood services, said: “By securing this closure order we want to send out a clear message that criminal activity will not be tolerated and we are committed to taking action against those involved in it.”

District judge Harrison granted the application at Teesside Magistrates' Court.

The three-month order runs until September 5 and makes it an offence for any person to enter or remain in the detached property – apart from one named person and emergency service and essential maintenance workers.

A breach is punishable with a fine of up to £5,000, imprisonment of up to 51 weeks or both.

Anyone who witnesses the order being breached should call the police on 999 or they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.