Closure order extended due to anti-social behaviour

Police say they have increased their presence in the closure order area and while improvements have been made, there is a need to extend the order

Parts of a town will remain "closed" to anyone who does not live there after concerns about drug use and and anti-social behaviour (ASB).

A three-month open space closure order in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, has been extended until 7 November as police work to identify those involved in the issues.

The order covered parts of West Street, Onyx Court and John Thompson Road - plus adjoining land up to the boundary of the public highway.

Joyce Chaffe, 95, who has lived in the area for 20 years, says she "wouldn't dare go out at night" as she feels it is no longer safe.

"I call it Alcatraz, the whole place - that's my name for it nowadays," she said.

"You could [leave the house at night] once upon a time, but not now," says Ms Chaffe

Ms Chaffe, who used to help run the local bingo and coffee mornings, said the area "was lovely," but now: "I keep my door locked".

She said she had seen people on the steps in the estate taking drugs and would not "dare" to leave her home at night, despite the closure order.

The order was initially granted from 7 May to 7 August this year.

An extension was approved at Huntingdon Magistrates' Court on Thursday after police reported ongoing issues of drug use and ASB, as well as people loitering in the area.

The order access to everyone at all times, with the exception of those who live there, their visitors, emergency services, any employee of Clarion Housing Association, and any employee of Fenland District Council

A woman, who wished to remain anonymous, was visiting her parents when she told the BBC the area could be "quite awful" and "quite dangerous".

"There are a lot of drug users, a lot of people who drink alcohol, there have been kids coming into the building and breaking in, there has been a homeless man sleeping under the stairs," she said.

The issues in the area had got worse in the last six to nine months, she said, adding that the order had been a good idea but did not make "much difference".

To breach the order is a criminal offence which could result in imprisonment of up to three months, a fine, or both.

Fenland neighbourhood inspector, Michael Basford, said: "Whilst the order has been in place, we have received reports of issues continuing and therefore submitted an application to extend it to continue to identify those involved.

"We have remained in regular contact with residents within the boundary of the order, and they have expressed how much difference this work has made and are supportive of what we are doing to tackle their concerns."