Closure order granted on Sunderland home of nightmare neighbours

The three-month order was granted on the troublesome property in Baxter Road yesterday and is now the fifth closure order secured by the Sunderland North Safer Estates partnership.

The partnership comprises of Northumbria Police, Sunderland City Council and Gentoo Housing working together to tackle persistent crime and anti-social behaviour and make the north of the city a safe place for residents. On Friday, September 22, an order was also secured on a property in Oldfield Close after an absolute possession order was obtained by Gentoo Housing. Sunderland North Neighbourhood Inspector Don Wade said: “We know local residents are over moon with this latest Closure Order, one has even said it will be their first restful night in three months. “No one wants to live next door to nightmare neighbours and when rowdy disruptive behaviour becomes criminal or anti-social, or is as a result of crime, then it’s simply not acceptable and we, along with our partners, will step in and utilise our powers to take appropriate action.” Since it launched, more than 12 months ago, the partnership has secured 13 evictions, 5 Closure Orders, 4 Civil Injunctions, 27 Community Protection Notices, 51 Acceptable Behaviour Agreements and one Criminal Behaviour Order Insp Wade added: “Our message is quite simply anyone who commits crime or anti-social behaviour in the north of the city and causes misery to their local neighbours, will become the focus of the partnership. “All agencies will work together, using our combined efforts and powers, to deal with their disruptive behaviour. “One of our first steps is to offer those involved help to turn their life around, however, if they fail to accept responsibility for their behaviour, family members or the behaviour of people who visit them then we will take action and ultimately this could lead to them leaving their home and going to prison.”