A flat in Hucknall, described by local residents as a 'drug den', has been closed by Ashfield District Council. 

The property on Spring Street, has been linked to high level crime, anti-social behaviour and drug activity leaving residents living in fear. It is the latest closure order obtained by the Council, aimed at cracking down on anti-social behaviour.

The Council successfully obtained a 'closure order' from Mansfield Magistrates Court yesterday (Thursday 16 February) and immediately carried out the work to close the property.

Residents reported persistent drug dealing, noise nuisance, rowdy visitors, fly tipping and criminal damage, all of which were causing them misery.

As a result of the concerns reported to the Council's Community Safety Team and Nottinghamshire Police, swift action was taken to reassure the local community and obtain all relevant evidence to put an immediate stop to the issues, by obtaining a Closure Order.

Photo courtesy of Ashfield District Council.

The order granted under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 will remain in force until Monday 15 May. The order will prohibit access. Breaches of the order may result in prosecution proceedings that could then result in a fine or imprisonment.

At the time of closing the property, it was identified that the electric meter had been tampered with, which was a fire concern and posed a significant risk to members of the public. Council Officers ensured engineers attended immediately to make the property safe and secure. The property has now been boarded up prevent access.

Councillor Lee Waters, Ward Councillor for Hucknall North said: "The Council's Community Safety Team have been working in partnership with the Police to proactively deal with these types of issues across the Hucknall area.

"This is yet another example of Councillors and the Council-led partnership listening to and acting on local residents' concerns. The result is a safer place for Hucknall residents to live. We are determined to do our bit to make Hucknall a safer place to live."

Antonio Taylor, Community Safety Manager at Ashfield District Council, added: "I would like to thank all the witnesses and officers involved in this case to help obtain the order.

"The three-month period will allow respite to local residents who will hopefully no longer have to suffer ongoing anti-social behaviour in connection with the address. I hope this sends a clear message to residents that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Ashfield.''

Chris Sutcliffe, Neighbourhoods Chief Inspector for Nottinghamshire Police said: "Closure orders are a fantastic preventative tool for local policing and help the Police and our partners at Ashfield District Council reduce and remove anti-social behaviour and criminality from the local area. This property bought misery to local residents and I am grateful that the actions of the Council and Police have put an end to the issues."