The order was granted by Stevenage Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday 3 March) and prohibits anyone from entering the address in Oak Street for the next three months. Anyone who is not authorised to be there will be arrested and could face a fine of up to £5,000, a prison sentence or both. Police began to investigate the address after they received information that it was being used for drug taking and dealing. There were also multiple complaints about anti-social behaviour. Officers worked with local residents, enabling PCs Derek Lewin and Obi Anoliefo to compile a 95-page evidence document that was presented to the court. It documented: • Drug users attending all day and night, causing noise and nuisance, with persons outside the address shouting and screaming • Multiple calls to the ambulance service and police being at the address on regular occasions • Vehicles arriving at the address and buying and selling drugs • Threats being made to cause criminal damage and personal harm to the occupant of the address by drug dealers • Residents unable to bring their grandchildren to the address due to fears of their safety, unwilling to go outside in case they bump into users • Physical fighting between visitors to the address • A rise in criminality within the town centre directly linked to visitors to the address. PC Obi Anoliefo said: “This closure order will hopefully send a message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated in Bishop’s Stortford. “Anyone with information about anti-social behaviour or drug activity in their neighbourhood is urged to please report the details to us so that we can take action to make your community safer. Your calls can make a real difference.” Inspector Mark Collins from the East Herts Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “The effect of anti-social behaviour in the local area has been devastating for local residents and I thank them for their support. Working with our partners at East Herts Council and Clarion Housing we have ensured that they can start getting some deserved peace without living in fear.”
