"It was like pure hell had broken loose": House at centre of suspected drug dealing is closed down

A problem house at the centre of suspected drug dealing and constant anti-social behaviour has been closed.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, in partnership with Cleveland Police, secured a Closure Order on the property in Sun Street, in Parkfield yesterday (June 15).

The order means the property - which is split into an upstairs and downstairs flat - will be inaccessible to anyone for three months.

It is now boarded up and anyone who tries to enter can be prosecuted.

Teesside Magistrates' Court heard details of a string of complaints including reports of a constant flow of visitors and people urinating and vomiting in the street.

Regular fighting was also reported with one fight involving weapons being described by a witness as "like pure hell had broken loose."

There were also reports of suspected drug dealing taking place, with items being exchanged from the upstairs flat window via a bucket attached to a fishing rod.

Councillor Norma Stephenson, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety, said: "There are lots of families with children living nearby and the activities in and around this property have made their lives a misery. They've also caused countless sleepless nights.

"People have an absolute right to live their lives in peace and this kind of behaviour just won't be tolerated. I hope this closure order will bring relief to people in the area and improve their everyday lives.

"I'd like to thank our Civic Enforcement Officers and local ward councillors for their hard work and dedication to help secure the closure order alongside the local policing team."

Inspector Matthew Reeves from Stockton Neighbourhood Policing Team added: "By utilising closure orders Stockton Neighbourhood Policing Team and the Council can address problems with properties by removing the source of the problem.

"We provided information that this property was causing issues and damaging the quality of life for residents. This is a tactic we are committed to using in order to protect the people of Stockton."

Anyone worried about crime where they live can report it to police on 101.

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