Police shut down two Chesterfield homes linked to drug activity and 'nuisance behaviour'

Police Constable Stuart Hind with a council officer at the closed property in Chertsey Close
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Two houses linked to drug-related activity in a Derbyshire town have been temporarily closed down by police. Following reports from local residents, the Chesterfield Safer Neighbourhood Team and Chesterfield Borough Council joined up to obtain three-month closure orders for two properties.

One of the properties, a flat in Chertsey Close, Grangewood, was shut after a closure order was granted on January 16. There had been reports from residents about the “constant flow of people visiting the property at all hours and suspected drug-related activity”. The council’s housing team investigated further and installed cameras to gather evidence, which was presented in court.

Another property was shut down at Sidmouth Court, Newbold, after reports of nuisance behaviour, drug dealing, excessive amounts of visitors attending the property and reports of threatening comments being made in the community. The three-month closure order was granted on January 17.

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The closure orders mean that nobody, including the tenant, can attend the properties during the period, other than council officers or emergency services. Those who breach the order could be arrested and may be liable for a fine, imprisonment, or both.

Police Constable Stuart Hind, of the Chesterfield Safter Neighbourhood Team, said: “We always work with tenants in order to give them an opportunity to turn things around. However, there does come an end point where we have to take enforcement action.

“Residents who are trying to lead decent lives should not have to put up with nuisance neighbours bringing criminality to their doorstep.”

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Jean Innes, cabinet member for housing at Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We want to make sure that everyone feels comfortable in their own homes and local area and we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour in our communities.

“We’re really grateful for the hard work of our housing officers who have worked closely with the police to obtain these two closure orders and prevent any further distress for concerned neighbours.”

Innes urged residents concerned about anti-social behaviour to report it so action can be taken “as soon as possible”.