Five closure orders for Hertsmere properties

Five closure orders for Hertsmere properties

Five properties in Hertsmere have been given closure orders as part of police efforts to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).

On Friday 9 October, a three-month full closure order was granted by St Albans Magistrates’ Court for a flat in Welham Close, Borehamwood. It followed persistent anti-social behaviour linked to drugs.

A house in Palmer Avenue, Bushey, was granted a three-month partial closure order at St Albans Magistrates’ Court on Friday 25 September in connection with numerous ASB reports.

On Wednesday 23 September, the court had also granted a three-month full closure order on a flat in London Road, Shenley, and a partial closure order at a flat in Lamberton Court, Borehamwood. The properties had been used for drugs and criminality. 

Meanwhile, a flat in Farrington Avenue, Bushey, was granted a three-month partial closure order at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 16 September. It followed reports of prolonged and persistent ASB being committed by young people.

The closure orders were secured by the Hertsmere Community Safety Unit*. It means that under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 there are strict limitations on who can enter the properties. For full closures, nobody can enter or live at the properties. For partial closures, the only people who can enter are the named tenant and authorised personnel such as the emergency services.

Breaching a closure order is an arrestable and imprisonable offence.

Sergeant Gary Yam, from the Hertsmere Community Safety Unit, said: “I hope this news reassures residents that we understand the impact that ASB has on your quality of life. These closure orders will offer you some respite from the issues that were occurring and we’ll be carrying out further work to ensure the problems are dealt with for good.

“I’d like to say thank you to Hertsmere Borough Council for their support with securing the closure orders and also Clarion Housing who we worked with regarding the London Road and Lamberton Court properties.”

Cllr Chris Gray, Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods, Enforcement, Economic Development and Transformation said:

"These closure orders demonstrate the strength of partnership working in Hertsmere. By working closely with Hertfordshire Constabulary, housing providers and other partner agencies, we are able to take robust action against those responsible for anti-social behaviour, criminality and drug-related activity that causes significant harm to our communities. The properties were subject to closure orders following reports of ASB, drugs and criminality, with the action secured through the Hertsmere Community Safety Unit and partner agencies.

"Our priority is to support residents and ensure they feel safe in their homes and neighbourhoods. We understand the distress that persistent anti-social behaviour and drug-related activity can have on individuals and families, and we will continue to work with our partners to tackle these issues, protect vulnerable residents and improve the quality of life for our communities. These orders send a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated in Hertsmere.”

*The Community Safety Unit is a team of police officers and staff who work with local partners to solve long-term neighbourhood issues, specialising in Anti-Social Behaviour, licensing and hate crime incidents. They work closely with the Neighbourhood Policing Team.