East Riding of Yorkshire Council has served a closure order on a Bridlington flat after months of anti-social behaviour that has made neighbours’ lives “a living nightmare”.
The closure order, which was granted by Beverley magistrates on Wednesday, means no one can enter the council-owned property in Postill Square for three months.
Anyone who enters or stays on the premises without reasonable excuse can be fined, imprisoned or both.
Postill Square residents, many of whom are elderly and vulnerable, have complained about serious anti-social behaviour linked to the flat since a new tenant arrived in March.
Magistrates heard there had been reports of drug misuse and other drug-related activity, as well as threats of violence, foul and abusive language and significant noise, all of which had a major impact on people living nearby.
Despite numerous interventions by the police and the council, the anti-social behaviour continued to get worse, so earlier this month, the council told the resident it would be serving a closure notice on the property and seeking a closure order.
On Tuesday, members of the council’s housing and anti-social behaviour teams went to the flat with officers from Humberside Police to serve the notice.
After the magistrates court granted the three-month closure order yesterday, the council and the police returned to the property, giving the tenant time to gather his things and leave.
Reisdents in Postill Square welcomed the closure order, with one saying the relief was “indescribable”.
The delighted neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said the “living nightmare” of the past few months had made them unwell and caused friends and relatives to visit less because they felt intimidated.
Another neighbour said the area had “not been a nice place to live” recently, and thanked the council for taking firm action to put a stop to the anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Leo Hammond, the council’s portfolio holder for communities and public protection, said:
“Serious anti-social behaviour at this property has been making life a misery for the residents of Postill Square.
“We have made numerous attempts to engage with the tenant, who showed no interest in listening to us or the police and did not seem to care about the distress this behaviour was causing those around him.
“This closure order show shows we are serious about tackling anti-social behaviour and protecting our residents. I encourage anyone experiencing anti-social behaviour to report it to us.
“I hope people in Postill Square can now live in peace once more.”
The council now intends to seek possession of the property, which will be decided by the County Court.
For more information and to report anti-social behaviour, visit the anti-social behaviour section of the council’s website.
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