Man and woman due in court as tenants of Ashbrooke problem house at centre of drug misuse and anti-social behaviour issues evicted

Northumbria Police and Sunderland City Council have been inundated with complaints about a property on Argyle Street since the turn of the year.

Almost 40 calls have been made from the public raising concerns that a constant flow of people were attending the address at unsociable hours, families were being kept awake through noise and anti-social behaviour and used needles being discarded in the street.

A man and woman are now due to appear in court later this year to answer charges of cocaine possession after officers carried out a number of raids at the property and other addresses.

Various warnings were issued to the tenants, with a community protection notice issued in March this year. However, those involved have failed to heed the advice of officers and council staff.

As a result, officers and the council pursued a full closure order which was granted following a trial at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court on Monday (June 14).

The order forbids anybody from living at or attending the address for the next three months – with the option of a further extension to run beyond that period.

Anybody found inside the address or who ignores the order faces arrest and possible imprisonment.

Sergeant Kim Wright, of Northumbria Police, said: “We know that this address has tormented members of the community this year and I am delighted that this closure order has been granted.

“Nobody should be made to feel intimidated or frightened in their home, and the escalating behaviour of those attending this address has been destroying the community spirit that this city is famed for.

“This order should reassure our communities that we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and, together with the council, are committed to taking robust action against those who are making people’s lives a misery.

“I would like to thank the community for their ongoing support – this outcome would not have been possible without you, and we will be continuing to carry out targeted patrols in the area to ensure this type of behaviour is stopped for good.”

Councillor Claire Rowntree, Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council, believes the order will bring “immediate respite” to residents.

She said: "The three-month closure order will have the effect of bringing some immediate respite to neighbours whose lives have been made a misery by having to put up with all the issues around noise, abusive language and fighting linked to this property.

“There is no reason why people should have to put up with such appalling anti-social behaviour from their neighbours and we are determined to do everything we can to work with the police and communities to clamp down on it.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, added: “Tough, effective action like this has to be taken when it comes to tenants like this, and I am so pleased for the people of Ashbrooke who have clearly had to put up with a lot.”

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