A CLOSURE order has been granted for a nuisance property after reports of suspected drug dealing, anti-social behaviour and nuisance dogs.
Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court granted the property closure order on the privately rented property in Cartmell Terrace, Darlington, on Tuesday, July 27, after hearing of reports of alleged drug dealing and anti-social behaviour and that previous warnings had been ignored.
The property has now been boarded up and is closed for three months under the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Crime and Policing Act 2014 – meaning no one can enter the house for this period and anyone who breaches this will be arrested.
Anna Willey, ASB & Civic Enforcement Manager within the council’s Community Safety Team, sought the order after investigating reports of possible drug dealing, anti-social behaviour as well as nuisance/loose dogs.
By granting the order it means the court was satisfied the necessary criteria, such as criminal, disorderly or offensive behaviour has, or may, take place in the house.
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Councillor Jonathan Dulston, Darlington Borough Council’s deputy leader, said: “Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Darlington, so if there is there is suspected drug-related activity or continuing anti-social behaviour from your home we could be targeting you next.
“Our Civic Enforcement Officers work very closely with officers from Durham Police and other partners in a targeted way to ensure our local communities do not have to endure anti-social behaviour and the negative impact it has on their quality of life.”
Commenting on the closure order, Cllr. Mary Layton, the Labour Pierremont councillor who has been heavily involved in this long-running problem said: “Residents have endured chronic and unrelenting problems associated with the activities at 16 Cartmell Terrace. Their courage and persistence has been an inspiration.
“Neighbourhoods are damaged when daily drug selling attracts this level of antisocial and threatening behaviour.
"The mental and physical well-being of people living near this property have been badly affected, causing several neighbours to want to move away when their spirits have been so low, especially after the dog attacks.
"Despite all of this they were determined to come together and work hard to help achieve this result and their commitment has been incredible.
"They have been a pleasure to support with their remarkable good humour and patience and we would like to thank Anna Willey from Darlington Borough Council, Nichola Gregson our PCSO and Andy Wood our hard working Dog Warden for being there to help the whole community throughout this sad episode.
“Although we all appreciate that there is a persistent drug problem throughout our town and this is not an end in itself, it will continue to be our priority and privilege to work closely with our residents to build on the connections made during this experience.
"We hope in doing so, people's confidence will improve as the community starts to recover and pull together more.”
Inspector Dean Haythornthwaite, of Durham Police, added: “The comings and goings from this address have had a significant, negative impact on the lives of those who live nearby and there have been incidents of violence, anti-social behaviour and suspected drug-dealing.
“The police and local authority have worked together to improve the lives of those residents affected by this address.”
Anyone with information about anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhood can contact the Civic Enforcement Team on 01325 406999 or email customerservices@darlington.gov.uk.
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