Great Yarmouth Borough Council secures closure order on flat after serious anti-social behaviour
A court has granted a three-month full-closure order at a flat in Great Yarmouth following serious anti-social behaviour at the property.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council sought the order after a series of complaints about the address in Townshend Close and the effect it was having on the community.
At a hearing on May 1, the town's magistrates' court heard evidence from the council's social landlord team and Norfolk Police and the closure order was granted.
It means no one - including the tenant - can be at the property for the duration of the order which can extended by a further three months if necessary.
The court was told serious anti-social behaviour at the property and people associated with it was causing a significant nuisance to nearby residents.
The council said that its team, working in partnership with the police, had taken a multi-agency approach to the issue and had worked closely with the community in preparing the case.
It argued that the order was necessary to prevent anti-social behaviour and to protect the wider community. Anyone who breaches the order and is found at the flat will be committing a criminal offence and, if found guilty, can be jailed for up to 51 weeks and/or face an unlimited fine.
A spokesperson for Great Yarmouth Borough Council said: ''Successfully securing this full-closure order was important for the community and sends out a message that our social landlord service teams and Norfolk Police will work hard to make sure our town is safe for everyone.
''Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and, where it has a negative impact on the lives of residents, we will take appropriate action against those responsible.
''Our team is working hard with residents to make sure our communities are safe and welcoming places for everyone. People in Great Yarmouth want a place they can be proud of and reassurance that, where there are issues, we will act in their best interests.''
Find out more about community safety in Great Yarmouth and how you can report anti-social behaviour here: www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/article/2073/How-do-I-report-anti-social-behaviour
