Nightmare neighbours forced out of Sunderland flat by court order

During recent months, neighbours reported numerous incidents of anti-social behaviour at the flat in Thornhill Gardens – including shouting, swearing in the middle of the night.

A closure order has now been granted after the ‘problem flat’ tenants continued to bring misery to local families.

In April, police and the council served a community protection notice (CPNs) on the tenants of the Thornhill Gardens flat following a number of warnings about their conduct – but this was ignored as the number of complaints by fed-up neighbours continued to rise.

A closure order was granted by South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on July 30 which prevents anyone from entering the property for three months except from employees and agents of the landlord, members of the council or the emergency services.

Sergeant Kimberley Wright, who submitted the application, said: “This address has been flagged to us by various members of the community who were growing exasperated by the behaviour of the tenants inside.

“Quite often, we would receive reports of anti-social behaviour and complaints that those living there could be heard shouting and screaming at unsociable hours - they were making life a misery for a number of neighbours who were simply fed up.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, added: “Nobody should have to put up with this – it make victims feel trapped in their own homes, unable to escape the noise and intimidating disruption that’s happening right on their doorstep.”

Any breach of the order could lead to a criminal prosecution and the nightmare neighbours could be fined or even jailed.

Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council and Chair of the Safer Sunderland Partnership, Coun Michael Mordey, said he hoped this action would encourage people to report any problems they are facing.

He said:“Here is a clear message that noisy and anti-social behaviour tenants are not tolerated.”

Anyone who wants to report anti-social behaviour or suspicious activity can do so by calling 101.

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