Properties in Skelton, Brotton and Redcar closed due to drugs

Working with the community, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and housing providers Beyond and Accent Housing, officers have been gathering evidence of repeated problems with crime and ASB in the buildings over the past few weeks.

A house in Whitby Close, Skelton, is alleged to be a centre of drug dealing, drug and alcohol abuse and associated anti-social substance abuse, as well as the storage of weapons and the commission of criminal damage both in the house and on neighbouring properties.

Neighbors had also complained about people drinking in common areas, visitors screaming and yelling, dogs leaving droppings and wandering around uncontrolled, and off-road vehicles driving onto the property and blocking common entrances and garden areas.

In Brotton, residents reported similar incidents as well as property damage and threatening behaviour at a house on Railway Terrace.

(Image: Cleveland Police)

And at a privately rented house on Scott Street in Redcar, police found weapons and evidence of drug offences. Vehicles were on the road at all hours of the day and night, and residents witnessed noise pollution and violence on the streets.

Neighbourhood Inspector Neil Deluce said: “We were delighted to secure three home closure orders. This was the result of hard work in gathering and compiling the evidence we needed to succeed in court today. I would like to thank everyone involved for their dedication and support.”

“I hope that today’s result will reassure citizens that the police and their partners are taking their concerns seriously and acting on the basis of the information they provide. It complements the information collected by the police and is a great help in maintaining order.

“We have also demonstrated our ongoing commitment to do everything we can to protect our communities from the harm and suffering caused by harassment and crime. I can promise citizens that we will continue to take decisive action against anyone who continues to make life difficult for the law-abiding majority.

“Finally, I would urge anyone experiencing similar problems to contact the police. We are here to help you.”

Louise Graham-Smith, housing director at Accent, added: “Accent Housing takes anti-social behaviour very seriously as we want all our customers to feel safe in their homes.

“We have worked closely with Cleveland Police and other partner agencies to obtain this closure order and will continue to support our customers affected by anti-social behaviour.”

And Councillor Adam Brook, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “This shows that the police, ourselves and our partner agencies will do whatever is necessary to ensure people can live in peace at home.

“Filing an eviction notice against someone is never something we take lightly, but when necessary, we do not hesitate to do so, whether by assisting the police or taking the initiative ourselves.

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“I would like to thank everyone involved for their commitment and tireless support of the residents.”

If you are a victim of crime or ASB in your neighbourhood, you can report it online via the Cleveland Police website: ‘Contact Us’ | Cleveland Police or by calling 101.

If you do not wish to speak to the police you can pass information anonymously to www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call them on 0800 555 111.