POLICE used two closure orders in an anti-social behaviour crackdown.

Closure orders have been placed on two houses in Stirling Street in Hartlepool after reports that people in the address were causing anti-social behaviour and misery to local residents.

The orders follow intelligence from local residents and come as part of a crackdown by the community safety team on those people who blight communities.

The closures of 27 and 37 Stirling Street mean that it is an offence for anyone but officers of the local authority and landlords of the properties and their agents to enter the properties for a period of three months from the closure date.

A breach can lead to an arrest and imprisonment.

Marie Hartland of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team said: “The Hartlepool Community Safety Team is not prepared to tolerate such behaviour, and we immediately began to compile a case against these two addresses as soon as the problems in Stirling Street were reported to us.”

Neighbourhood police officer, Inspector Mark Haworth, said: “We will continue to work with the council to close down addresses which are causing problems for the law abiding majority. Hartlepool has such strong community spirit that can easily be eroded by criminal and anti-social behaviour – our message is, we won’t let that happen.

“If you are experiencing problems in your area let us know and we will do all we can with the powers that we have to help solve the problem.”

Officers are appealing for information on anyone who may be seen breaching the Stirling Street closure orders to come forward and report on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.