Two problem properties have been closed after alleged substance abuse, drugs supplying and violence caused neighbours distress.
Nottinghamshire Magistrates’ Court granted two Closure Orders to Newark and Sherwood District Council and partners from Nottinghamshire Police, to help put a stop to the anti-social behaviour.
Sally Knowles and Ian McPhail, both Boughton residents, were each issued with Closure Orders following complaints from residents and police.
The catalogue of reported incidents at both properties includes alleged substance abuse inside and around the premises, drugs allegedly being supplied at and from the premises, and high number of visitors coming and going from the properties.
Criminal activity was also reported close by to Knowles’ property, and both McPhail and visitors to his property were reported to be behaving violently.
The extensive catalogue of incidents for each property was enough to cause distress to those living nearby, but the close proximity of the properties also meant the incidents were causing a significant, negative impact on the wider Boughton community — which meant legal action had to be taken.
Officers from the council’s public protection team and housing team, supported by the Notttinghamshire Police neighbourhoods team, worked to secure the Closure Orders to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the residents affected.
Closure Order’s are designed to provide immediate relief for the community from anti-social behaviour being committed from a property, and it is an offence to enter or remain on premises in contravention of a Closure Notice or Closure Order without reasonable excuse, punishable by a fine or imprisonment or both.
McPhail was issued a Part Closure Order and will remain at the property but only named visitors will be granted access.
Knowles was issued with a Full Closure Order, meaning she is no longer granted access to the property. She was also recently made subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order for repeated shop theft in Ollerton.
Paul Taylor, portfolio holder for public protection and community relations, said: “We will not stand by and allow selfish individuals to flout the law and cause harm or distress to the local community. I hope these Closure Orders reassure our residents that we will do all we can to ensure a safer Newark and Sherwood, and I also hope it sends a message to offenders, we will not stand for this unacceptable behaviour.
“We are committed to clamping down on anti-social behaviour and criminal behaviour and we will continue our successful partnership working with the police to ensure our reach is wide and our resources are strengthened.”
Lee Brazier, portfolio holder for housing, added: “Our residents deserve a district in which they feel safe and secure, and no-one should be subjected to the distressing behaviour exhibited by both of these offenders.
“We are working to ensure behaviour like this does not go unpunished but I urge residents to help us in this and act as our eyes and ears by always reporting any incidents so our teams can work to investigate and identify offenders and ensure they face the consequences of their actions.”
