(Image: DURHAM POLICE)
A County Durham house at the centre of months of anti-social behaviour, drug-taking and violence has been closed by police after repeated warnings were ignored.
Officers secured a closure order for 32 Jackson Street, Spennymoor, bringing an end to what they described as persistent problems linked to a tenant who moved into the property in April.
Durham police said neighbourhood officers had been working "around the clock" following ongoing reports from residents.
The team responded to numerous incidents, made arrests and worked with partner agencies in attempts to support the tenant.
Despite those efforts, police said the behaviour continued.
A Community Protection Warning was issued on September 5, but was breached within three days.
A Community Protection Notice followed on September 15 and was breached three times within the first 48 hours.
As a result, officers applied for a closure order on September 22, which was granted by the courts, meaning the tenant is no longer able to return to the property.
PCSO Emily Curry, who has been working closely with residents, said: "We have tried everything we can to support the tenant at 32 Jackson Street but every offer of help has been declined whilst anti-social behaviour at the property has continued to harm the community and bring misery to neighbours.
"We have worked hard as a team to bring this closure order to court and are thankful it has been granted, allowing us to now help rebuild the sense of community within the street and support all those who have been affected.
"We would like to thank all the residents and partners for working with us to take this action and will continue to work hard to make sure our town is a safe place to live and work."
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The action has been welcomed by residents, with one neighbour writing to police to thank officers for their work.
In an email to the neighbourhood team, the resident praised officers for their "dedication, persistence and hard work" throughout the process.
The resident said police had listened to concerns, gathered evidence and worked with partners to tackle the problems, adding that the action had made "a real and immediate difference to the safety and wellbeing of our neighbourhood".
Police said the closure order would provide "much-needed respite" for neighbours who had been affected by the behaviour over recent months.