Visitors banned from Northumberland house following anti-social behaviour complaints

A closure order has been served on a house in Northumberland due to escalating anti-social behaviour at the property.
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The property on the Highfields estate in Berwick has been closed by a magistrates’ court for a period of three months.

It follows an investigation by community safety officers from Northumberland County Council’s Housing and Public Protection Service, assisted by officers from Northumbria Police.

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This means that only the occupier can remain in the property and no one else is permitted from entering during this time, except for emergency or statutory services.

A closure order has been placed on a Highfields property.A closure order has been placed on a Highfields property.
A closure order has been placed on a Highfields property.

Penalties for breaching the order include a fine or a period of imprisonment.

The case was brought to court following multiple and significant complaints about anti-social behaviour in and around the property.

Neighbours on the estate, on the northern outskirts of the town, had to endure numerous episodes of shouting, fighting and drunken and intimidating behaviour arising from youths congregating outside the property.

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While the country is currently in a national lockdown due to coronavirus it was felt that this behaviour would continue during the restrictions and after they had been lifted and therefore the court order was deemed necessary and proportionate.

Coun John Riddle, cabinet member with responsibility for housing and public protection at Northumberland County Council said: “We received numerous complaints from neighbours concerned about the continued acts of anti-social behaviour coming from this property.

“The county council is committed to protecting the public and tackling any behaviour which has a negative impact on the community. Residents have a right to live in their homes in peace and without fear.

“Despite our efforts to resolve the problems our warnings were ignored.”

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He added: “We hope that this closure order sends out a strong message that behaviour which ruins the quality of life for other people in Northumberland will not be tolerated.”

The closure order, supported by the police, was granted by a magistrates’ court under the provisions of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

To report an anti-social behaviour problem visit https://online.northumberland.gov.uk/citizenportal/form.aspx?form=990061

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