Landmark closure order granted for 'drugs deaths' Nuneaton flats

A landmark closure order has been granted for a block of flats in Nuneaton town centre. Police have been given court powers to close Warwick House in Wheat Street.

It follows a number of drugs-related deaths, the most recent only being a matter of weeks ago. The building, which once played home to social services, has also been at the centre of other trouble.

In court earlier this morning (November 26), Nuneaton Police officers were granted powers to close the building for three months. The order was granted against My Space Housing Solutions, which operate the 34 flats.

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A total of ten residents currently live in the building and they are being found temporary new places to live by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council. Nuneaton Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) previously said that the action was a 'last resort' after attempts were made to find a solution to the issues at the building.

It is a landmark for the police locally as it is the first time that the team have applied for a court closure order for a block of flats. Inspector Ryan Walker of the SNT said: "I welcome the closure order, obviously we want to prevent further harm and restore public confidence.

"But also provide support for the vulnerable people who reside there. It is not about making them homeless, we have actually diverted them to the local authority who will house them in temporary accommodation.

"We are also working with support agencies to prevent future incidents happening such as this where a lot of vulnerable people all reside in one spot. This is not an ideal situation as they have no support network."

He concluded: "This is a huge turning point and I hope that this will go some way to restore public confidence in the area."

Chief Inspector Kris Shore, the borough's area commander, added: "We, as the police and community safety partnership, are committed to reducing crime and protecting the most vulnerable. This is a really sad turn of events where, as a partnership, we have had to take action to stop any further residents of Warwick house coming to harm."

CoventryLive has approached My Space Housing Solutions for a comment.