Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

A court has granted closure orders on three Hartlepool houses after concerns from officials were raised about crime and disorder in the area.

Hartlepool’s Community Safety Team secured orders on 14 and 16 Stephen Street and 3 Keswick Street from Teesside Magistrates Court, which will remain in place for three months.

A fourth property at 7 Keswick Street, saw an application for a closure order contested so a temporary order was granted until a further court hearing on November 3.

Councillor Mike Young, leader of Hartlepool Borough Council and chair of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, said: “We are determined to tackle criminal behaviour that is ruining the lives of law-abiding residents and we hope that these orders send out a clear message to that effect.”

Closure Orders have been implemented on properties in Keswick Street, Hartlepool.

Investigations have shown that issues in Stephen Street are linked to county lines drug dealing, organised crime, other drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.

In Keswick Street, problems include drug dealing, including supplying drugs to young people, violence with weapons, threats involving petrol bombs and damage to residents’ properties and cars.

Councillor Young added: “The Hartlepool Community Safety Team brings together staff from Hartlepool Borough Council, Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade, and by working with other partners such as Thirteen Group which in this case owns 3 Keswick Street, we really are able to make a difference.”

Chris Marshall, head of Housing Services at Thirteen, said: "We always put the safety of our customers and the community where they live first, so we will not tolerate our homes being used for crime and anti-social behaviour as we understand the devastating impact behaviour like this can have.

Closure Order enforced at 7 Keswick Street, Hartlepool.

“We are pleased these closure orders have been granted and we’ll continue to work in partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council and Cleveland Police to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime in our communities.”

The orders prevent tenants from accessing the properties, and the maximum penalty for a breach of an order is six months imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

Anyone who witnesses an order being breached should call the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Teesside magistrates grant Closure Orders on three Hartlepool properties linked to drug dealing, violence and petrol bomb threats