A flat in Northallerton has been boarded up after residents reported drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.
The property in the town’s Bankhead Road was shut after North Yorkshire Police obtained a closure order.
Northallerton neighbourhood policing team said residents complained about drug dealing, anti-social behaviour and crime coming from the flat.
This prompted officers to work with the Safer Hambleton Hub and landlords Broadacres Housing Association to apply for the order.
The flat will remain shut for a minimum of three months.
Officials say that despite trying to work with the occupier of the flat to stop the behaviour, incidents continued.
The closure order was granted at York Magistrates Court on December 11 and means that no one can access the property for three months, anyone who breaches the order could be arrested and prosecuted.
Sgt Christopher Hughes of the Northallerton Neighbourhood Policing team said: “We are pleased to secure this order on the property.
“The drug use and anti-social behaviour were having a huge impact on local residents and whilst this may be the first time we have had to use the closure power in this area, my reassurance to local communities is that it may not be the last.
“We will not tolerate properties continually causing harm to our local neighbourhoods.”
Gina Allen, of the Safer Hambleton Hub, said: “It is clear that this property has caused significant harm, distress and concern for local neighbours.
“The behaviour has continued for a number of weeks despite warnings and partnership support offered to the occupier.
“The granting of the Closure Order today is a fantastic step for those who live near this property and I hope it will be much needed and deserved peace over the Christmas period.
“This year has been hard enough for everyone without our communities living in fear in their own homes.
“We have worked collectively and tirelessly to bring about this Order and is testament to the strength of the multi agency working in the Hambleton area to keep our communities safe from harm.
“We are absolutely clear as a partnership that this behaviour will not be tolerated and we will take every step necessary and available to us to reduce, prevent and detect crime, disorder and anti social behaviour across Northallerton.”
Anyone with information about anti-social behaviour or drug activity in their neighbourhood can report either online, by calling 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers.
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