Violence, weapons and drugs force closure order on Teesside property

A closure order had been granted on a house in Middlesbrough where violence was spilling out onto the street.

Teesside Magistrates’ Court granted the order yesterday after an application was made by Cleveland Police and Middlesbrough Council to have the place shut down.

The property on Worcester Street has been closed for three months following reports of violence and disorder; including altercations spilling into the street, weapons recovered and drugs activity. The tenant will now not be able to return to the property for at least three months.

Cleveland Police also made representations to extend a further closure order which was granted in March this year on a property on Jubilee Street after concerns were raised by residents in the area around serious crime and disorder, nuisance and drugs supply. This extension was granted, and it will therefore remain closed for a further three months.

Inspector Darren Birkett from Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “As always we take complaints very seriously and listen to our local communities. Using all tools available to us in operational policing, we will look to take action against those who cause misery in our communities.

“It is unacceptable that people cause others to live in fear, and now we have positive outcomes at court which have allowed us to remove those people from disrupting the lives of law-abiding people.

“I would urge anyone who wishes to raise concerns about tenants at a property who may be causing crime and antisocial behaviour in their area, to contact Cleveland Police on 101.”