East Suffolk Council
Closure order served following anti-social behaviour complaints
East Suffolk Council has secured a Full Closure Order at a property in Lowestoft following complaints of serious disorder of anti-social behaviour.
The order was secured by the council's Housing Services team following a court hearing at Norwich Magistrates' Court on Friday 5 July.
It excludes anyone from occupying the property for a period of three months – and can be extended for a further three months on application, if required.
The Full Closure Order was served at the property in Spexhall Way on the grounds that:
• A person has engaged, or (if the order is not made) is likely to engage, in disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour on the premises.
• The use of the premises has resulted, or is likely to result, in serious nuisance to members of the public.
• There has been, or is likely to be, disorder near those premises associated with the use of those premises.
• The order is necessary to prevent the behaviour, nuisance or disorder from continuing, recurring or occurring.
Councillor David Beavan, East Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for Housing, said:
“I’m grateful to our officers in the Housing Services for securing this outcome, which will bring about immediate respite and security for the wider community.
“Obtaining such an order is no easy task. This outcome has safeguarded our tenant, and the neighbours who have all been affected by the anti-social behaviour.
“Closure Orders are among several ways in which the council aims to help make Lowestoft a better place to live.”
Anyone who breaches the order and is found by police to be in the property is committing a criminal offence and, if found guilty, can face prison and an unlimited fine.
Reporting Anti-Social Behaviour
You should dial 999 when life is threatened, or people are injured or there is a crime in progress and an immediate police response is necessary.
Call 101 or report online if the offence has happened and the offender is no longer present.
Information about people who commit crime or anti-social behaviour can be reported to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 (you do not have to give your name and address if you do not want to, and calls are free).
You can also help by reporting incidents and sharing information with us, so that the most appropriate action can be taken at an early stage.
If the behaviour is being conducted by a private owner or occupier, the matter should be reported online to our Communities team via the Anti-social behaviour page of our website.
If the behaviour is in relation to an East Suffolk Council tenant, please contact our Customer Services Team on 0333 016 2000.
Nuisance caused by noise, smoke and rubbish is dealt with by Environmental Protection team, who can be contacted via our Customer Services number or directly by emailing environmental.protection@eastsuffolk.gov.uk.
Registered landlord reports should be reported directly to your housing provider.
Please be aware that although the behaviour may be affecting you, it may not be classed as ASB. Your complaint will be assessed by our officers who will then contact you to discuss the matter further.
Want to help?
If you are an East Suffolk Council tenant, you can help shape the way we tackle ASB by joining one of our Tenant Engagement opportunities. For further information visit our Tenant engagement page call our Customer Services team on 0333 016 2000.