Closure order on property after reports of drugs, guns and anti-social behaviour

Plymouth Magistrates have granted a closure order on a property in Plymouth after ongoing problems with drugs, guns and anti-social behaviour.

Plymouth City Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team applied for the closure on 172 Grenville Road, working with Devon and Cornwall Police, following months of anti-social behaviour at the house that the court heard was being used as a “shooting gallery” (drugs den). The tenant Gary Steer did not contest the hearing at Plymouth Magistrates Court on Monday 6 March 2017. The closure order forms part of an ongoing crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour in the city.

The closure order will apply for three months following the anti-social behaviour at the property that has escalated since September 2016. The court heard that there were broken windows and evidence of drug use including used syringes, tin foil and bongs at the property, and that the issues were affecting quality of life of those living nearby, who feared for their safety. It is the eighth successful premises closure order for the city in the past 9 months for the city.

Councillor Dave Downie, Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities for Plymouth City Council, said: “We are pleased to have secured another successful closure order in the city – this demonstrates that we are committed to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour and creating a safer Plymouth, working with our partners.

“Drug use and drug dealing, and the crime and anti-social behaviour associated with it, ruins people’s lives and we will take tough action to address these issues.

“We will continue to work with Devon and Cornwall Police and landlords of all tenures to tackle this and we thank them for their continued support.

“We would also encourage any local residents suffering similar issues not to suffer in silence, but to report them, as we will take action – you do not have to give your name. You can report problems with anti-social behaviour anonymously by calling either Police 101 or our Anti-Social Behaviour Team on 01752 307047.”