Action after police called to house 60 times in 9 months
PEOPLE have been banned from visiting a house in Llanelli because the police keep getting called there to tackle antisocial behaviour, theft, assaults and robberies.
The property in question is 36 Murray Street in the centre of town.
Dyfed-Powys Police applied for a closure order to be put in place after they received more than 60 calls to the house in just over nine months between September 8, 2021, and June 22 this year. Due to the persistent callouts, the force’s legal team presented evidence to Llanelli Magistrates’ Court and the order was granted on Thursday.
It means that, from now on, nobody other than the tenants and a few others named by the court can visit the property for the next three months.
The powers have been granted under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which gives police the ability to effectively close down a property in order to provide what they describe as “a quick relief from the antisocial behaviour that has been occurring there”.
A closure order can be made for up to 48 hours without the need for a court order, but when applied for through the courts, orders can be made for up to three months.
“It is a fairly rare move for a closure notice to be issued on a residential property,” said PC Aled Davies of Dyfed-Powys Police.
“It was given careful consideration and deemed the most appropriate action to take to reduce the antisocial behaviour that was happening there and improve the quality of life for other residents.
“Only the tenants and a few other named people are permitted to be at the address.
“They are aware of the closure order.
“Anyone else seen visiting the property will be in contravention of the order and faces a fine, prison or both.
“To report sightings of anyone else visiting the address call police on 101 immediately.”