‘IT’S A CONSTANT NIGHTMARE’
Police shut down city ‘crack house’
POLICE have boarded up a crimeplagued house. It means no-one can live in the property – on Lomas Street in Shelton – until at least August 20.
Staffordshire Police secured the court order following a hearing at North Staffordshire Justice Centre. Anyone who gets into the property without permission now risks being jailed.
A notice stuck to the door states: “This premises has been sealed and no further entry will be allowed, except to those authorised to enter by the landlord or Staffordshire Police. The occupier will therefore be required to find alternative accommodation.
“Anyone entering the premises without the permission of the landlord, Staffordshire Police, or North Staffordshire Justice Centre commits an offence and can be arrested.”
It is a relief for neighbours who have endured a ‘nightmare’ living in the same street as the problem property. They have had to put up with ‘20 crackheads’ and fights breaking out at 5am.
Neighbour Phil Rothwell, aged 64, said: “It is drugs, crackheads. It was full of them. There were a good 20 going in and out. We had had enough.
“They now can’t use the house but they are still in the area. The police know who they are. I welcome what the police have done. They have been at it for the last six months. They have had enough. That is why the closure order came in the end.
“It had been going on too long. It has been a constant nightmare. It has been night and day. Not so much at the front of the house. But loads come to the front late at night to try and get in. The police have done a good job. They have been constantly coming out.”
Police have welcomed the court action.
A police spokesman said: “Officers from Stoke South Harm Reduction Hub have successfully closed a problem property in Shelton which has been linked to anti-social behaviour. The address on Lomas Street has since been securely boarded-up. The closure order was granted as a result of evidence submitted by local officers which showed the property was being used by those conducting anti-social behaviour and associated criminality.”