Occupants of nuisance-linked house evicted

People will be prevented from accessing the property on Homer Street for three months

Occupants of a property have been evicted over multiple reports of drug-taking, anti-social behaviour and violence linked to the premises.

Staffordshire Police pursued legal action to secure a closure order on the property in Hanley St, Stoke-on-Trent.

It prevents anyone except the landlord or emergency services (or people acting on their behalf) from accessing it for three months, forcing the occupants to find alternative accommodation.

Residents said they were relieved following years of disruption.

They had reported people leaving and entering the property at all hours, and in some cases people having seizures in the street linked to drug use.

One resident said the more recent incidents had been the worst they had seen in 31 years living on the street.

Another told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "They [the occupants] were smackheads. They had people showing up day or night. I don’t know where they’ve gone and I don’t care."

'Much-needed respite'

They added: "We’ve got a good street here, everybody’s OK now."

Police secured the closure order on 30 August following a hearing at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.

Neighbourhood officer PC Natasha Egar said: "This action sends out a clear message that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.

"It also provides some much-needed respite to the local community.

"Everyone should feel safe in their surroundings and we are committed to tackling any type of anti-social behaviour with our partners."