House Closed Under New Legislation
Police have secured the closure of a rented house in Easington Colliery under new anti-social behaviour legislation.
Only the second of its type sought by Durham Constabulary, the order relates to a terraced, three-bedroomed property in Browning Street.
An application made under section 80 of the Anti-social Behaviour and Crime and Policing Act 2014 was granted by magistrates at Peterlee on Saturday morning (October 31).
The order prevents anyone entering the premises and it will remain in place until January 31st 2016.
After that date the situation will be re-assessed, following discussions between police and the landlord.
Insp Darren Walton said:
“The order was sought because of high levels of anti-social behaviour and drug use at that address, by tenants and visitors alike. It was also being visited on a regular basis by a number of our target criminals.
Their actions were causing intimidation, alarm and distress to law-abiding people in the area. We believe the closure will make a significant, positive difference to those living in Browning Street.”
The penalty for breaching the order is ÂŁ5,000, 51 weeks imprisonment, or both.
Last week Durham Constabulary put in place its first closure order under the new legislation, when a house in Spennymoor was boarded up after similar complaints.