A DRUGS den was last night closed down after police obtained an order from magistrates to stop the tenants returning.

People living and working near the former council flat made dozens of complaints about the activities of Leslie Dowson.

Yesterday, magistrates in Hartlepool granted Cleveland Police a closure order under Section Two of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

Officers went straight to the property, on the West View Estate, and boarded up its windows and doors.

The order will last for three months, during which time Mr Dowson, 32, will have to live elsewhere.

Last night, police welcomed the court's decision and vowed to close down more so-called crack houses.

They appealed for the help of residents.

Inspector Alastair Simpson, from the Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: "We will not tolerate the misuse of drugs in Hartlepool.

"This house has been the cause of numerous complaints and problems within the community and, following an investigation on the property, we successfully applied to magistrates to have it closed.

"We are committed to acting on information received about crack dens in Hartlepool and want to send a message to residents that we can take positive action against the drug dealers that cause misery for them, and we will encourage them to come forward and give us information about any drug-related activity in their area."

Three officers gave evidence during yesterday's civil hearing, at which magistrates were also provided with statements from five anonymous residents.

Detective Constable Scott Hendry said that police had evidence that heroin was being sold from the flat - through a small hole in shutters next to the back door.

Joanne Monkman, prosecuting, said the activities surrounding the flat in Brus Corner had made the nearby shop a no-go area for locals.

She said: "In summary, the residents describe a constant stream of undesirables, sometimes forming a queue at the rear of the premises, and money and drugs being exchanged through the hole.

"The residents also described drug-taking at the rear, coming and going at all times of the day and night, and often shouting for 'Les'."

Mr Dowson did not turn up for the hearing, but his solicitor, Neil Taylor, urged magistrates to limit the closure order to no more than one month.

"I can't believe it would take three months for word to get around," he said. "I think an appropriate time is between one day and one month for users to know the premises are no longer there open for business."