Ashford Borough Council tackles drug dealing at three properties as it cracks down against anti-social behaviour
Press release
18 September 2019
Ashford Borough Council has successfully applied for court orders at three separate properties which have all been associated with persistent drug use and anti-social behaviour.
It is the first time that the council has brought three cases in one day and is a clear sign that the authority is determined to keep up the pressure against people who use council properties for illegal purposes.
Folkestone Magistrates Court approved applications relating to 2 Kenbrook in Kennington and also at 11 Croft Road and 13 Croft Road near Willesborough.
The court imposed a three-month partial closure order on the properties at 2 Kenbrook and 13 Croft Road. This means that no-one, apart from the tenants, council staff, health and care professionals, and police officers, are allowed to enter these two properties until Wednesday 11 December 2019.
A full closure order was handed down on the 11 Croft Road flat, which means that no-one is allowed to enter the one-bedroom property for three months until 11 December. Doors and windows at the ground floor flat have been secured to prevent unauthorised entry. The council applied for a full closure order because it was felt that the tenant had been more complicit in the illegal activities taking place there.
Ashford Borough Council secured the orders under the ASB, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and brought the proceedings supported by Kent Police.
The court heard that all three properties had attracted complaints to police and the council by neighbours worried about drug taking and dealing, together with anti-social behaviour and noise at unsociable hours. Council officers have been working closely with Kent Police and neighbours in a bid to tackle persistent problems associated with these properties, leading to the court hearing in Folkestone.
Referring to a number of previous court cases when the council successfully applied for closure orders at properties blighted by drug abuse, Cllr Bill Barrett, portfolio holder for housing at Ashford Borough Council, said: "This underlines that we have a zero tolerance approach towards this sort of behaviour.
"These three properties have been the root of persistent problems and nuisance to residents with people visiting at all hours, drug dealing, littering and causing noise and intimidation.
"These issues make people's lives a misery and we hope the work undertaken to gather a case for these orders will reassure our communities that we do not tolerate it and we will respond with appropriate action.
"If you are affected by the illegal activities of another resident resulting in anti-social behaviour, then I urge you not to suffer in silence. Tell us about it. You can use our ‘Report It' service on our website or report your concerns to the police direct or via Crime Stoppers. With your help we can take action against the offenders," added Cllr Barrett.
Inspector Jason Atkinson of Kent Police said: "We hope this improves life for the residents who have felt the negative effects of this anti-social behaviour. This enforcement action was driven by Ashford Borough Council, supported by Kent Police, to tackle drug dealing issues and the negative impact it has on communities and individuals.
"Kent Police and Ashford Borough Council work hard to ensure the safety of local communities and protect those who are vulnerable. I hope these closure orders empower the public to let the local authority and police know what is going on in their neighbourhoods."
ENDS
Public relations issued on behalf of Ashford Borough Council.
For more information contact:
Darren Laws
01634 671167
07958 304375