A nightmare house has been closed after neighbours told of threats of petrol bombs and violence.

The property at 7 Keswick Street in Hartlepool will be boarded up and the tenants legally barred from accessing the property.

Teesside Magistrates Court heard of problems in the street including threats involving petrol bombs, neighbours’ cars and homes being damaged and violence with weapons.

It also heard of drug dealing, including to young people.

Magistrates approved a three-month closure order on the property which had been contested.

If the tenants try to enter the address during that time they could face six months behind bars and an unlimited fine.

It comes just two weeks after another home, just two doors up, at 3 Keswick Street was also closed.

Councillor Mike Young, Hartlepool Borough Council Leader, said: “I am pleased the court has granted this Closure Order despite opposition to the Hartlepool Community Safety Team’s application.

“This shows how determined we are to tackle criminal behaviour that is ruining the lives of law-abiding residents.”

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Inspector Adrian Dack from Hartlepool’s Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) added: “This kind of anti-social behaviour and criminality makes the lives of residents a complete misery.

“I hope this closure order sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate such behaviour and we will act to ensure we are deterring crime and improving the lives of those in the local community.

“I would encourage anyone with information about crime in their area to contact the Neighbourhood Policing Team on 101.”