A drug den that brought misery to a Runcorn street with dealing and violence has been slapped with a closure order.
The house in Brookvale will remain shut for three months, with entry punishable by arrest and a fine and up to six months in prison.
Officers with Cheshire police’s Runcorn Problem Solving Team sought the order following “a large number” of reports of drug dealing and antisocial behaviour involving the property.
These included reports of regular comings and goings around the clock and violent incidents, some of which spilled into the street.
A force spokesman said the constabulary also received reports of residents being threatened and intimidated by people linked to the address.
North Cheshire Magistrates’ Court sitting in Warrington granted the closure order on Wednesday.
It bars entry for the next three months to anyone except the landlord.
Police Constable Andy Maskall, of the Runcorn Problem Solving Team, said: “The address had become a focal point for local drug users.
“The activities of people inside and outside the address was causing members of the community considerable alarm, harassment and distress, and had been doing so for a sustained period of time and showed no signs of abating.
“No-one should have to put up with that.
“We want every Runcorn resident to be able to live in their home without having to suffer from the effects of unacceptable issues stemming from neighbouring properties.
“We will use the full remit of the law to achieve that and to make Runcorn a better place to live, work and visit, as this case shows.
“It is another example of our commitment to targeting those who plague communities through their unacceptable behaviour.
“I have no doubt that the closure order will have a positive impact on the Brookvale area of Runcorn, and I hope that this case provides reassurance to residents and serves as a warning to others who incorrectly think that they can get away with making their neighbours’ lives miserable through anti-social behaviour.”
PC Maskall added: “I want to thank the members of the public who played a key role in the closure order being secured.
“The information they supplied enabled us to gather the level of evidence needed for such an order to be imposed via the courts.
“I hope that this case encourages others to report and give statements regarding such behaviour at properties they live near.
“As this case proves, we will do something about it.”
Report breaches of the order to Cheshire police on 101 or provide details online.
Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
