How closing criminals’ boltholes is helping in the war on crime
PROPERTY closure orders are now a key weapon in the police’s fight against crime and anti-social ehaviour.
In the past year, dozens of properties have been shut down by Merseyside police – after being agreed by courts – for offences ranging from drug dealing to late-night fighting.
In July, the force applied for a closure order for a block of flats in Southport, following reports of drug activity and anti-social behaviour.
The order was granted by South Sefton Magistrates’ Court on July 8 for eight flats at 15 Talbot Street, to remain in place until Saturday, October 8.
It was applied for by the neighbourhood policing team in response to community intelligence in relation to the supply of drugs.
At the time, Supt Dawn McNally said: “The complaints received included incidents of anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and drug taking linked to the address and people calling there.”
From April last year to March this year, a total of 69 premises were locked up by police, after officers produced detailed evidence linking them to criminal activity.
Thoseh buildingsb ildi h have included shops, flats and homes throughout Merseyside.
Over the summer, the crackdown has continued, with headline closures including Kass’s newsagents in Stanley Road, Kirkdale.
It was shut after a huge cannabis farm was found above the shop, said to have been a “front for organised crime”.
Five neighbouring properties were also locked up after police uncovered a shotgun and ammunition, large amounts of cash, cannabis and growing equipment inside.
Closure orders are seen as an increasingly useful tool for police looking for a way to stop trouble snowballing in a community.
They can only be granted by magistrates and have a maximum length of six months.
But they send a stark warning to those causing misery in a neighbourhood that police will not tolerate their behaviour.
When an order is issued, the property is sealed. The action is so severe that no-one is allowed in the property while it is under an order – not even police or the housing associations that so often own the homes that are linked to trouble.
Only when a closure order expires can the owner of a shutdown flat return – often to repair the damage caused by their tenants.
Explaining the value of the orders, temporary Superintendent Nick Gunatilleke said: “Our communities have always been at the heart of our policing activity and these notices not only disrupt criminal activity, but also show the community that we will take action against those involved in this type of crime and disorder.
“We are always extremely grateful to any residents who come forward and provide vital evidence in these cases.
“Information from the local community is vital in our efforts to tackle those involved in serious organised crime, drug crime and anti-social behaviour.
“These notices allow residents to enjoy the quality of life that they are entitled to, giving them some much-needed breathing space from those at these addresses who commit crime and inflict anti-social behaviour upon them.
“They also give private landlords a chance to look at other civil action they can take against disruptive tenants.
“I would continue to encourage residents to get in contact with any information about criminality in their area via 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”