A Hucknall house described as a "drug hotspot" and "crime catalyst" will remain shut after a closure order on the property was extended for a further three months. Ashfield District Council said the house in St Mary's Way, off George Street, has been linked to high levels of crime, anti-social behaviour and drug activity - leaving residents in fear.
Previous inspections of the property found drug paraphernalia and a bypassed electricity meter, which was a fire concern and posed a significant risk to members of the public. As a result of the issues reported to the council's community safety team and Nottinghamshire Police, officials managed to obtain a closure order in court in September.
Due to ongoing public safety concerns, the council and police applied for an extension of the order at Nottinghamshire Magistrates' Court. This was approved yesterday (December 14) with the court being satisfied that the extension of the closure order was necessary to prevent disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour at the premises and serious nuisance to members of the public.
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The extension will remain in force until 2.30pm on March 14, 2023. The order will prohibit access at all times and in all circumstances to all people apart from emergency services, any future tenants housed by the council or any representatives from the authority.
Councillor John Wilmott, ward councillor for Hucknall north, said: "The council's community safety team has been working in partnership with the police to proactively deal with these types of issues within our estates and town centres across the district. Significant funding has been secured within the last three months by the Community Safety Partnership to enhance community safety across Hucknall which will include developing increased CCTV provision and support for those who are vulnerable.
"This is another example of councillors, the council and police listening to and acting on local residents' concerns and the result is a safer place for us all to live." Antonio Taylor, community safety manager at the council, said: "I would like to thank all the witnesses and officers involved in this case to help secure the extension of the order.
"The six-month period will allow further respite to local residents who will hopefully no longer have to suffer ongoing anti-social behaviour in connection with the address.’" Inspector Jon Hewitt, District Commander for Ashfield, added: "This approval at court should send a very clear message to residents who blight our communities with repeat criminal and antisocial behaviour. Working closely with the council's community safety team, we have listened to local residents and taken decisive action to protect them from further harm.
"We will be continuing to work in the area to support the local community."
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