A flat in Hitchin has been closed following complaints about drug-related anti-social behaviour (ASB).

The one-bedroom flat, in the Westmill Estate, was being used by a 31-year-old male tenant and his associates. It has now been closed for three months.

Local police officers had received "numerous" complaints about drug-related activity at the address while the housing association, Settle Group, had also received complaints from residents about anti-social behaviour.

An application for a closure order was made by Settle Housing, and the North Herts Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) and Community Safety Unit (CSU) at Herts police.

The Comet: The front door of the closed flat.The front door of the closed flat. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

That application was granted at Stevenage Magistrates Court on Wednesday, June 14.

Jeanette Dallimore, anti-social behaviour officer at Herts police, said: “Officers were called to the address on numerous occasions due to reports of anti-social behaviour and this was escalating.

“Local residents should not have to put up with this kind of activity impacting on their daily lives in this way.

"I hope this has reassured the community that we take reports like this very seriously and along with our partners, have worked extremely hard to gather evidence to support the closure order application.

“We will use every available tactic to tackle ASB and I would continue to urge members of the community to report any behaviour of this nature to the police.”


READ MORE: Drunk driver who also tested positive for cocaine in crash near Stevenage


The Closure Order was granted under Section 80 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014. A spokesperson for Herts police said that the order should "give the local community some respite from the issues, whilst the problem is addressed".

You can contact your local safer neighbourhood officers by calling 101. Information can also be reported online at herts.police.uk/report, or via web chat at herts.police.uk/contact.

If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.