Police have successfully shut down a problem property linked to violent crime and drug dealing in Street.

A closure order has been slapped on a flat in Orchard Street following numerous incidents of drug use, threatening behaviour, violent assaults and criminal damage. The order, granted at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court on Friday, June 7, will last for three months and means nobody can enter the property. Anyone who breaches the order faces a fine, imprisonment or both. The court heard that the block of flats had been a friendly community with residents looking after one another before an individual moved in to the flat which is now closed. Officers explained they had carried out welfare visits and offered support to the individual, but they had gone on to breach a "good neighbour" agreement with their housing provider, Aster Group.

An Aster spokesperson said: "We have a robust anti-social behaviour policy and procedures in place to protect our customers and communities and we will continue working with our statutory partners"

PCSO Supervisor Jason Wyatt said: “We're pleased with the outcome of this application and hope this action will greatly improve the lives of those living in this community. “During the course of our investigation we gathered statements from residents who said the ongoing and significant anti-social behaviour and criminal offences had left them feeling ‘unsafe, unsettled and anxious’. “No-one should feel afraid in their own home, so it’s vitally important we take robust action against those who engage in this destructive way. “Working closely with the housing association which owns the property, and with the support of the community we built a strong and compelling case to present to magistrates. “We’d encourage people to report all incidents of anti-social behaviour to us so we can take positive action.” Avon and Somerset Police have a dedicated Somerset ASB team working with our neighbourhood policing teams and partner agencies across the county to tackle ongoing ASB problems. More information can be found on our website here - https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/anti-social-behaviour/. Always call 999 when a crime is ongoing.