Bishop's Stortford flat the subject of drug and anti-social behaviour complaints for two years closed down by police

Police expelled tenants and boarded up a flat in Bishop’s Stortford town centre which has been at the heart of numerous complaints from neighbours.

For more than two years, officers have received complaints of anti-social behaviour and suspected drug use and dealing at an apartment in Park View, The Causeway, opposite Castle Gardens.

The goings-on have left some neighbours, who are vulnerable, feeling intimidated and unsafe in their own homes.

Last Wednesday (Nov 25), members of Hertfordshire police's Bishop's Stortford and Sawbridgeworth safer neighbourhood team went to court to obtain a closure order.

The order was granted by a district judge. It prevents anyone from entering the address for three months. Anyone who breaches the order can be arrested.

Police also secured temporary accommodation for the expelled tenants.

PC Stephen Gent said: “We’ve received numerous calls about the property concerning the dealing and use of drugs, excessive noise and vulnerable members of the community being made to feel unsafe in their own homes.

“We worked to gather evidence in support of the order, which was subsequently granted by a district judge under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

"This type of behaviour can have a hugely detrimental effect on others living in the area and will not be tolerated."

PC Gent added: “Anyone with information about anti-social behaviour or drug activity in their neighbourhood is urged to please report the details to us so that we can take action to make your community safer. Your calls can make a real difference.”

You can report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in the force communications room via an online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via its untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.