Closure Order for Ipswich home
It follows reports of anti-social behaviour
Ipswich Borough Council stops anti-social behaviour with home Closure Order
Magistrates today granted a Closure Order on a property near Wellington Street in Ipswich that is owned by Ipswich Borough Council. This Closure Order will curb persistent anti-social behaviour; only the tenant and persons authorised by the Council - such as support agencies, Council and Police staff - are now allowed to enter the property for the next three months.
The Closure Order was granted after reports and intelligence were gathered of gang-related activity and other Anti-Social Behaviour that was undertaken by the tenant and visitors to the property during 2021. The breach of a Closure Order without reasonable excuse is a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment and/or fine. The Closure Order was granted under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and will bring immediate relief and respite to the local community.
Ipswich Borough Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team and the Suffolk Constabulary’s Safer Neighbourhood Teams have been involved in recording and disrupting ‘County Lines’ - gangs transporting and supplying drugs from bigger cities into towns.
Cllr Alasdair Ross, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Community Protection said:
“We are taking action to curb Anti-Social Behaviour here to make life better for people living nearby. It needs to be understood that those who make the lives of others worse by such selfish actions might also find the same sanctions applied against them.
“The Council can apply to the courts to get a council home closed and that can mean that people living there would need to find somewhere else to live.”
A Suffolk Constabulary spokesperson said:
“Closure orders are used as a powerful tool where it has become apparent that the use of a property has resulted in disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour, or where serious nuisance has been caused to members of the public. This may occur in premises associated with drug use or drug supply.
“By working closely with our partner agencies on closure orders, we look to achieve positive outcomes, which will help to improve the quality of life for local residents.
“We’re committed to tackling and reducing behaviours, which can have a detrimental effect on residents and communities.”