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from the Hull Daily Mail/East Riding Mail Wednesday, July 16

Residents living near a house branded a “drugs den” hope anti-social behaviour in the area will reduce after police shut the property down.

Officers sealed off the house in Rowlston Grove, Preston Road Estate, east Hull, yesterday following a number of tip-offs from concerned residents.

Humberside Police, alongside Hull City Council and the Citysafe Anti-Social Behaviour Team, were able to seize the property using powers introduced by the Government to close homes and flats taken over by drug dealers and users.

Now, no one is able to enter it for a period of three months.

Today, residents who were too fearful to be named told the Mail they hoped their neighbourhood would return to normal.

One resident said: “It was obvious it was a drugs den. It has been going on for about six months – people were coming and going at all hours.

“It was noisy on a night and when you have got kids you can do without it.

“We did complain to both the police and the council as we wanted something to be done and I’m glad something has been done.

“I understand it takes time to make things happen.

“This used to be a good area, but some people who have moved here have brought the area down.”

Another resident said living in the area had become a “nightmare”.

She said: “We just want to be able to go to bed at night without having to hear people turning up and banging on the door of the house.

“Recently, there have been a few break-ins and cars have been damaged and we have put it down to the type of people who have been hanging around here because of that house.

“The whole thing has been a nightmare and it is good news action has been taken.”

Police can issue a closure notice – which has to be approved by magistrates – on premises they have reason to believe are being used for the production, supply or use of Class A drugs and are causing a serious nuisance or disorder.

Janine Swindells, enforcement officer with the Citysafe Anti-Social Behaviour Team, said: “This successful closure order demonstrates what can be achieved by the community, Citysafe Anti Social Behaviour Team and the police working together to tackle anti-social behaviour on Preston Road Estate.”

Sergeant Rick Smith, of Humberside Police, said: “We will not tolerate Class A drug use and dealing from houses in Hull.

“We are grateful to all members of the public whose information helped us to stamp it out at this property.”

Humberside Police www.humberside.pnn.police.uk

Hull City Council www.hullcc.gov.uk