Property linked to anti-social behaviour and drug use closed down

We worked with the Dacorum Community Safety Unit, police officers and Clarion Housing to secure a closure order on a property in Penrose Court, Hemel Hempstead, following numerous reports of drug use and anti-social behaviour at the address.

The order, granted under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, prevents anyone from entering the property for a period of three months. Anyone who does so is committing a criminal offence and faces arrest.

PC Nick Beresford and Community Safety Sergeant Chris Bignell presented the case to magistrates in St Albans on Tuesday (25 March), detailing evidence of drug use, anti-social behaviour and people sleeping in stairwells, making residents feel unsafe.

A warrant was carried out the address in February, leading to three people being arrested for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

A Dacorum Borough Council spokesperson said: “We welcome the swift action taken to secure a closure order for this address.

“Anti-social behaviour and drug-related activity have a devastating impact on residents' quality of life. No one should feel unsafe in their own home or community. This closure order sends a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

“We remain actively engaged, working closely with the police and housing providers to ensure that action is taken where necessary. We will continue to support residents in reporting concerns and pushing for enforcement against those who make our communities unsafe.”

Sgt Bignell said: “We’ve worked alongside our Neighbourhood Policing Team colleagues and partners to gather the necessary evidence to close the address and provide some much-needed respite to residents. The activity linked to the property was having a highly detrimental effect on their quality of life, with many living in fear.

“This is the fourth address in Dacorum that we’ve closed in the past six months. I hope this reassures the public that we do take action in these circumstances and serves as a warning to anyone involved in crime and anti-social behaviour that we will not hesitate to seek these orders and remove people from their homes wherever necessary.

“If you have information about crime and anti-social behaviour in your neighbourhood, please don’t hesitate to report it to us. Every call is taken seriously and helps us to build up the evidence we need to take action.”

You can report information online at www.herts.police.uk/report or call the non-emergency number 101. Always dial 999 if a crime is in progress.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or on the untraceable online form.