Recent closure order protects our residents from anti-social behaviour
In partnership with Herts Police, our anti-social behaviour (ASB) team has enacted a closure order on a property in Woodmere Avenue in order to safeguard neighbours and other local residents.
Heather Burns, our Neighbourhood Services Team Leader, who is responsible for overseeing the Anti-Social Behaviour Team, worked closely with officers from Herts Police to build a case against the resident after receiving reports of drug use and possible drug dealing. Neighbours were contacted for statements in order to make sure the case for the closure order was accurate and robust.
Representatives from both Herts Police and ourselves initially attended court to obtain the order on 30th September, but the case was adjourned until 6th October, when a three-month closure order was granted. This means that no one is allowed to enter the property for three months.
Heather said: “The safety and wellbeing of our customers is our highest priority and we’re committed to working in partnership with local organisations to make sure our communities are safe and welcoming places to live. We are really happy to have been able to obtain this closure order and we will now be looking to gain a notice of seeking possession, which will mean that the resident in question will not be able to return to the property. I’d like to thank the officers from Watford police station who were instrumental in helping us protect our customers, as well as the local residents who came forward to speak to us.”
Sergeant Luke Mitchell, from the Watford Community Safety Unit, said: “Working in partnership with Watford Community Housing, we were able to attend St. Albans Magistrates’ Court and obtain this closure order for a period of three months. This address has caused nuisance and annoyance for nearby residents for a long time, but by being proactive we were able to secure a large amount of evidence which supported the closure of this address.”
We take anti-social behaviour very seriously. If you are experiencing anti-social behaviour, or see anything that causes concern, you can contact the team by calling 0800 218 2247 or emailing ASB@wcht.org.uk. You can also call the police on the non-emergency number 101, although if you are in immediate danger you should always call 999.
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