Avon and Somerset police took the landlord of a house of bedsits to court after receiving hundreds of complaints of drug usage and continuous cases of violence, subsequently the property was boarded up.

At the court hearing the attending officers said that neighbours and residents living next or near to the "nightmare house", had to endure "years of misery and harm" caused by the residents.

 

This year alone they had already received nearly 200 complaints linked to the house of drug use, dealing and violence.

The magistrates granted the Avon and Somerset force a Premises Closure Order - also known as a "crack house" closure order, against the property's landlord. The house was immediately boarded up and will remain closed for the next three months with the tenants being evicted and the landlord ordered not to enter the house.

PCSO Jordan Cleary, part of the Easton police team that collated evidence for the case, said: “The living conditions in the bedsits were shocking.

"I went in on a daily basis to gather evidence and deal with complaints and I repeatedly found drugs and sex litter strewn everywhere, as well as general rubbish, trashed rooms, and the front door kicked in.

"It was not just unsafe and insecure for the people living there; it was clearly a massive source of misery for neighbouring residents and businesses.

"I'm so pleased for all the local people that the door to this nightmare house has finally been shut.”

The Sergeant that led the team Chris Green said: “This closure order shows we’re willing to take tough measures to prevent such places causing harm to the community.

 

“Despite some of the negative perceptions of Stapleton Road, working closely with community action groups, we have made great strides in recent years to reduce violent crime and local issues – but the problems stemming from this house were going against everything we’re working for.

“We have a vibrant community here and I want to thank them for speaking out and giving us the support to make this closure possible.”

The Stapleton Road Working Group chairwoman Patricia Usherwood speaking on behalf of traders and residents said: “We residents and traders welcome this news and would like to thank the team of officers at Trinity Road for listening to and working with the local community.

 

“They’ve been determined to address our concerns and issues from the start and this closure will both alleviate the unacceptable behaviour and raise the perception of Stapleton Road.”