Devon & Cornwall Police News site

Police, council and housing colleagues have worked together to close down a Plymouth property and reassure residents they will not tolerate nuisance neighbours. 

The local policing team for Devonport West became aware of a residential property in West Country Close which was generating a great deal of anti-social behaviour and having a significant impact on the local community. This included drugs misuse, excessive noise and a steady stream of visitors both day and night.

The anti-social behaviour meant the local residents, some of them elderly, could not enjoy their homes and their feelings of safety and mental health were affected.

After months of proactive visits, safeguarding referrals and targeted patrols the local neighbourhood policing team, in collaboration with Plymouth Community Homes and Plymouth City Council, managed to gain a partial closure order on the property.

Acting Chief Inspector Paul Laity explained: “Police, housing and other agencies were tenacious with this property and tried to support the tenant. However, they continued to disregard the partial closure and continued to breach the conditions. Local officers kept the pressure on and made arrests when appropriate.

“There has been a lot of hard work and resources put into this problem-solving over many months. Nobody likes to see anyone lose the roof over their head, however I feel it is only right the public know about the joined up partnership work that goes on in cases like this and that we will work together robustly and won’t give up to ensure that positive action is taken and we get the keys back to these properties.”

Plymouth City Council escalated this case via the court to gain a full closure order. The tenant finally relinquished their tenancy and has been offered alternative accommodation.

A/Ch Insp Laity continued: “This is just one example of the work we as Devon & Cornwall Police carry out. We collaborate on a regular basis with Plymouth City Council and various housing associations, amongst other agencies, to find solutions to solve issues within our community every day.”

The order means that no one can enter the property and anyone trying to do so risks a fine or prison. Closure orders normally last three months but can be extended for another three months. This gives time for housing officials to take full possession if evidence is available that the occupant continues to breach the court order and behave antisocially. 

Paula Williams, Senior Housing Officer for Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) said: “This was a very complex case where collaborating with our partners brought a successful end to the suffering neighbours unnecessarily experienced. Between PCH, Plymouth City Council and the Police we were able to deal with this situation by using our individual tools and powers to reach a successful conclusion.

“By working in partnership PCH obtained an injunction which aimed to prevent visitors coming to an address where neighbours were affected by the behaviour of the tenant and their visitors. This behaviour continued and a partial closure was granted by the court which then ultimately led to PCH seeking a Possession Order, bringing a permanent end to the distress caused. By working together, we can keep our residents, our communities and the wider public safe.”

Councillor Sally Haydon, Plymouth City Council Cabinet Member for Community Safety, added: “We are committed to working together as a partnership to take robust action against anti-social behaviour, and are supporting communities.

“This will help increase the confidence in people to report, we are all working together to help address any concerns people might have regarding anti-social behaviour.”