Problem Hardwick Flat closed

A flat at the centre of round-the-clock alleged drug dealing, anti-social behaviour and criminal disorder in Hardwick has been closed down.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, in partnership with Cleveland Police and Thirteen, secured the closure order of 8 Kirknewton Close, Hardwick, Stockton-on-Tees, yesterday (May 14).

Teesside Magistrates' Court heard that Police and members of the public had witnessed multiple incidents at the flat, including reports of criminal damage and blatant drug dealing during the day via the rear of the property and the bathroom window.

Members of the public reported being scared to leave their homes due to fears for their own safety because of the anti-social behaviour and noise as people attend the property at all hours on foot, bikes, scooters or in vehicles to purchase drugs.

Throughout the tenancy the property has been damaged on multiple occasions with the windows smashed, whilst large dogs have been allowed to roam freely and no efforts made to clear up their faeces from the communal green.

The closure order means the tenant must not enter the property, which will be inaccessible to anyone for three months.

Anyone trying to enter the boarded-up property can be prosecuted.

This action is possible due to the on-going multi-agency partnership approach to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in Hardwick.

Councillor Norma Stephenson, the Council's Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety, said: "This tenant has been nothing short of a nightmare for the residents living near to this property.

"People have been so scared to leave their homes that some said that they couldn't even put their bins out for collection due to the levels of anti-social and criminal behaviour they have witnessed.

"They have suffered sleepless nights with loud music and dogs barking in the property, along with the noise of visitors coming and going at all hours, shouting and fighting in the street.

"There are other issues they have had to deal with such as reports of smashed glass, pools of blood, human waste and dog fouling littering the street which is also very close to a local primary school.

"I hope this closure order will now allow residents to enjoy some peace and calm in their own homes and help to prevent criminality and anti-social behaviour in the area.

"I also hope this closure order will send out the message that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated in our communities and action will be taken.

"Thank you to our Community Safety team, who have worked very hard in partnership with Cleveland Police officers and Thirteen to secure this closure order."

PC Anthony Wraith, from Stockton's neighbourhood policing team, said: "Working alongside Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Thirteen Housing we have successfully been granted the power to have this flat closed down.

"It comes following numerous reports of individuals causing a significant impact to residents through drug dealing, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and disorder both on and near to the property.

"This type of criminality has undoubtedly caused misery to residents, and it was important to take action to remove it from the community. The order being implemented will go a long way in preventing this behaviour from occurring and make it a much safer and better place to live."

Thirteen's Chief Customer Officer, Serena Heathcote, said: "Keeping our customers and communities safe is always our priority, and we understand the significant impact this behaviour has had on residents living nearby.

"Residents have suffered unacceptable disruption and distress, and no-one should feel unsafe in their own home or neighbourhood.

"We will not tolerate our homes being used for criminal or anti-social activity, and we're grateful to our partners at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Cleveland Police for their support in securing this closure order. This closure order demonstrates the strength of partnership working in tackling issues that harm communities.

"We hope this provides reassurance to residents that firm action has been taken to protect the community, and we'll continue working closely with our partners to prevent further disruption and ensure the neighbourhood remains a safe place to live.

"Our focus now is on working together to support the wider community and helping restore a sense of safety and wellbeing for residents living nearby."