Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site
We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.
You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.
This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.
Following persistent complaints about illegal activities at a flat in Kettering, the residential property has been made subject of a three-month closure order and boarded up.
Since May 2023, Northamptonshire Police’s Kettering Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) has been responding to reports of drug use and associated anti-social behaviour at the address in Queen Eleanor Court in Rutland Street.
Issues linked to the address were causing misery to other residents and the wider community, and in response to the concerns raised, the NPT gathered information about the impact the escalating behaviour was having on others.
As a result, investigating officer PC Rob Booth, in partnership with housing association emh, applied to Northampton Magistrates’ Court for a closure order under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
At the court hearing on March 7, a three-month closure order was granted, and the flat was boarded up and the tenant moved elsewhere. Anyone who enters the property before June 7 will be liable to arrest for breaching the order.
PC Booth of the Kettering Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Since May last year, the drug related activity linked to this flat was having a significant and ongoing impact on the lives of other residents nearby.
“Although numerous enforcement warrants were conducted, the illicit activity and associated anti-social behaviour continued, therefore I knew a different tactic was required to prevent further issues and improve the quality of life for the wider community.
“The behaviour of those attending this address caused residents to feel distressed and scared to walk through the building near to the flat due to abusive visitors, drug paraphernalia and coming across alcohol or bodily fluids.
“Residents would also be repeatedly disturbed by drug users buzzing on the building’s intercom to gain access, shouting up to the windows of the flat to be let in or climbing on nearby bins to climb through the window.
“In addition, it was often reported that drug dealing was taking place from the property which resulted in drug use in the communal stairwell and near to the property causing people to live in fear about who or what they would come across when they left their homes.
“I would like to thank everyone who was involved in this case as this order was only obtained through key information provided by other residents who did not feel able to provide a statement due to fear of repercussions.
“However, the information provided, and the evidence gathered enabled us to build a clear picture of the impact these issues would likely be having on residents and provided me the platform to present a compelling case to the court which allowed the closure order to be granted.
“Since the closure order was grant, I have spoken with residents who feel a sense of relief knowing that no one will be able to enter the property for the next three months, bringing an end to the issues they have had to go through for the past 10 months.
“I would also like to show my appreciation and gratitude to the housing association emh for their support with this case and also encourage residents to come forward and report anti-social behaviour.”
Alison Kreamer, Director – Communities and Customer Service at emh, said: “We want all our communities to be places where people can enjoy their homes in peace. Our partnership with Northamptonshire Police is very important to us, and this case demonstrates the benefit of organisations working together to achieve positive outcomes for our communities."
Find out more about how Northamptonshire Police is preventing and tackling anti-social behaviour here.
If you have any concerns about anti-social behaviour in your community, you can report non-emergency crime to 101, online at www.northants.police.uk/RO or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. In an emergency always call 999.