Closure Order granted by court to safeguard community

The action was brought by the council's Tenancy Services Team who attended a court hearing that took place at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court on December 22 where a Full Closure Order was secured for three months. The order can be extended for a further three months on application if required.

A 'Full' Closure Order is where no one, including the tenant, can remain within the property. A Great Yarmouth Borough Council spokesperson said: ''Obtaining such an order is no easy task and requires a multi-agency approach with Norfolk Police, local residents and in this case, adult social services.

''This outcome has safeguarded our tenant, the neighbours and first responders who have all been affected by the anti-social behaviour.''

The Closure Order at the property in Portland Court was made on the grounds that:

• A person has engaged, or (if the order is not made) is likely to engage, in disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour on the premises, or;
• The use of the premises has resulted, or (if the order is not made) is likely to result, in serious nuisance to members of the public, or;
• There has been, or (if the order is not made) is likely to be, disorder near those premises associated with the use of those premises,
• The order is necessary to prevent the behaviour, nuisance or disorder from continuing, recurring or occurring.

The council spokesperson added: ''The Tenancy Services Team is pleased to have secured this outcome, which will bring about immediate respite and security for the wider community.

''Anyone who breaches this order and is found by police to be in the flat is committing a criminal offence and, if found guilty, can face prison and an unlimited fine.

The Closure Order is one of a number recently obtained by the council with the aim of helping to make Great Yarmouth a better place to live.

Councillor Emma Flaxman-Taylor, chairperson of the council's Housing and Neighbourhoods Committee, said: ''We would like to thank Norfolk Police for its ongoing support to help Great Yarmouth Borough Council's Tenancy Services Team reduce anti-social behaviour for our residents. We are pleased the courts continue to take these offences seriously and hope the order will alleviate the concerns of residents close to the property and that it will act as a catalyst for change from the perpetrators.

"Obtaining these closure orders requires a lot of hard work and incredibly close partnership working.''