Hitchin flat closed down by police and partners

A flat in Hitchin has been closed, following an application made by the North Herts Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT), the Community Safety Unit (CSU) and Settle Housing.

The one-bedroom flat on the Westmill Estate in Hitchin was closed following the order being granted at Stevenage Magistrates Court on Wednesday 14 June. 

The property will remain closed for three months, due to the anti-social behaviour (ASB) of the 31-year-old male tenant and his associates, who were using the address.

Local officers had received numerous complaints regarding drug related activity at the address. The housing association, settle group, had also received complaints from residents regarding ASB connected to the address, which was having a detrimental effect on their lives.

Working with settle and other agencies, Hitchin SNT Officers and the ASB Officer applied to have the address closed for a three-month period to give the local community some respite from the issues, whilst the problem is addressed. 

The Closure Order was granted under Section 80 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014. It bans anyone from entering the property for a period of three months. 

Anti-social Behaviour Officer Jeanette Dallimore said: "Officers were called to the address on numerous occasions due to reports of anti-social behaviour and this was escalating.

"Local residents should not have to put up with this kind of activity impacting on their daily lives in this way. I hope this has reassured the community that we take reports like this very seriously and along with our partners, have worked extremely hard to gather evidence to support the closure order application. 

"We will use every available tactic to tackle ASB and I would continue to urge members of the community to report any behaviour of this nature to the police."