A HOUSE in Yeovil has been boarded up by police after the occupiers subjected neighbours to threats and intimidation over a two-year period.
A three-month closure order was granted for a property in Raglan Terrace by Taunton Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday (February 6).
The court heard how the close-knit community in Raglan Terrace endured the behaviour of the closed property’s occupants, and their visitors, for two years.
Residents were reportedly scared to contact the police and actively changed their schedules to avoid coming into contact with the occupiers.
Avon and Somerset Police say residents were subjected to violent disorders, threats and intimidating behaviour, as well as frequent comings and goings by people who didn’t live at the address at all hours of the day and night and disturbances and arguments that would often spill into the road.
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Anti-social behaviour (ASB) co-ordinator at Avon and Somerset Police, Lily Crowther-Luke, said: “I am pleased we have been able to secure this closure order for the community.
“This closure order is the culmination of a lot of work by the ASB Team and the Yeovil Neighbourhood Policing Team who have been working with local residents to build confidence and trust where they were previously too scared to report to police.
The property has been boarded up following the closure order Picture: Avon and Somerset Police
“The appalling behaviour of the occupants made some of their neighbours change their daily routines in order to avoid them.
“We hope this closure order, and the uniformed reassurance patrols put in place by neighbourhood officers, will help to bring them peace of mind.”
The housing provider has served a notice seeking possession of the closed property.
Anyone who is seen attempting to access the closed property during the period could be liable to arrest and we’d encourage people to report such an offence.
Two years for the legal system to get its act together is very poor