Successful closure order obtained by Borough of Poole

The Borough of Poole has successfully obtained a premises closure order against a property in Churchill Road, Poole, under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The order was obtained on 5 April and makes it a criminal offence for anyone, apart from the occupier, to enter the property for a period of three months.

Poole Magistrates Court heard that the privately-owned property in Churchill Road was the centre of anti-social behaviour, drugs and prostitution which was having an adverse effect on the local community. Behaviours associated with the premises include drug dealing and drug taking, allegations of prostitution, loud noise from both residents and visitors, and threats of violence.

Cllr Karen Rampton, cabinet portfolio holder for Housing and Communities, said, “Fortunately, in Poole, we don’t often see anti-social behaviour on this scale, but where behaviour is so extreme that it is affecting the local community we will take action. We are pleased to have achieved this closure order with the support of other agencies including Dorset Police.”

Ian Cooke, safer communities manager at Borough of Poole, comments, “The property was subject to a previous closure order in 2016, but unfortunately the behaviour at the address deteriorated again, leading us to request a second closure order. Borough of Poole takes these matters seriously and works with its partners such as Dorset Police to robustly tackle anti-social behaviour in our communities. We now need to work with the occupier in addressing the underlying reasons behind the behaviours so that we avoid these measures in the future.”