Closure order for Parkhouse Court property

A property in Hatfield was ordered to close for three months yesterday (Tuesday 30 June) due to reports around anti-social behaviour.

The flat, which is in Parkhouse Court, cannot be entered by anyone other than the named tenant and authorised personnel such as the emergency services.

The news comes during Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week 2026 – a national campaign highlighting the impact that ASB has and educating the public on how to report it.

As part of their commitment to tackling ASB, the Welwyn Hatfield Neighbourhood Policing Team and Community Safety Unit have been working together with partners to address concerns about the property. The closure order is the latest measure in a line of work being carried out to tackle reports about ASB linked to the flat.

Reports identified a vulnerable resident being exploited through ‘cuckooing’, where drug users were taking over the property and causing significant disruption to those living in the vicinity. Officers carried out detailed problem-solving work, taking into consideration the interplay between the victim’s vulnerability, substance misuse, and environmental factors that enabled offending.

Working alongside Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, the housing association, the charity Change Grow Live and other partners, a range of measures have been put in place. This has included Community Protection Notices and Warnings which have already achieved a 22% reduction in ASB and a 37% reduction in crime in the area.

Officers are continuing to monitor the situation closely, carrying out regular visits and gathering intelligence.

Sergeant Neil Gordon, from the Community Safety Unit, said: “Anti-social behaviour often has complex causes and this is a clear example of the harm that cuckooing can cause both to victims and the wider community. By working closely with the Neighbourhood Policing Team and partner agencies, we’ve been able to take a balanced approach, providing support and safeguarding for the resident, while also taking firm action against those responsible.

“We remain committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and protecting vulnerable people. Thank you to everyone who has reported concerns and supported this work.”

To find out more about the different kinds of ASB, our ASB Action Plan and where to report it, visit herts.police.uk/ASB.

A public consultation is also underway for a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Parkhouse Court. PSPOs address issues that negatively impact a community's quality of life and it can stop individuals or groups from engaging in anti-social behaviours in a public place. You can have your say on the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council website at https://www.welhat.gov.uk/parkhouse-court-pspo