Sunderland house closed after concerns raised by police over anti-social behaviour

The order was granted at Sunderland Magistrates' Court under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act at the address in Burscough Crescent in Fulwell.

It was applied for on the grounds of the occupant and her visitors causing persistent anti-social behaviour, often fuelled by alcohol, causing a significant amount of harassment to local residents.

The occupant must now leave the property for the next three months.

Local neighbourhood inspector Don Wade said: "We know anti-social behaviour is a significant issue for our local residents and along with our partner agencies we work tirelessly to do everything we can to tackle this issue.

"The decision to apply for a closure order on this property was not a step taken lightly but unfortunately it was a necessary step.

"The occupant was offered a significant amount of support by our partner agencies, however, the behaviour continued causing a huge amount of harassment to other residents in the street.

"It's not fair that they have to put up with this, they deserve to be able to live in their own homes without having to put up with the anti-social behaviour of another individual and I hope they can now have some reprieve from this behaviour.

"This closure order is the first success of the Sunderland North safer estates meeting but I am sure will not be the last as we work together to tackle problematic individuals and addresses in the area and should act as a warning to anyone else whose behaviour causes a significant amount of disruption to our communities that they could potentially see themselves evicted from their own home."

Councillor Harry Trueman, Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council and Chair of the Safer Sunderland Partnership, said: “The court’s decision to grant this closure order sends out a strong message how anti-social behaviour is not acceptable in our communities.

“Thanks to Northumbria Police for their support and hard work on this matter as it shows what can happen when everyone works and stands together.

“It is very important, too, to say a special thank you to those in the community who showed courage and determination as they gave evidence about the anti-social behaviour that blighted their day-to-day lives for too long.”