Privately owned property in desirable block of flats now closed down due to anti-social behaviour

In what is believed to be a first in Surrey, a six month partial closure order has been granted on a privately owned property in Camberley.

For several months, the lives of those living in the Centro block of flats on Southern Road, Camberley has been one long round of intimidation, fear, anger and frustration. The resident who owned one of the flats in the block made his neighbours’ lives a misery through his drug and drink fuelled anti-social behaviour and his association with drug dealers and homeless people. Residents had to endure a stream of undesirable visitors to his flat at all times of the day, swearing, shouting and using the flat for drug activity.

In anonymous statements read out at Guildford Magistrates Court yesterday (23 August), the court heard how residents encountered people passed out on the stairwell under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. On other occasions they were woken up in the night with people buzzing the communal door trying to get in; damage has been reported in the communal areas and cars have been left abandoned in the garage area. One resident was seen crying in her car because she was too frightened to go back to her flat and others expressed concern for the safety of the children living in the block.

Sergeant Michael Knight said: “The homeowner was warned about his anti-social behaviour and the drug activity at this home on numerous occasions but nothing changed. Residents were frightened to leave their homes, were scared about who may tailgate them into the block and they no longer felt safe living there. They were also angry that he made no apologies for the distress he and his associates caused to everyone else living in what is a desirable residence. Clearly we needed to take action to put an end to their fear and terror and improve their quality of life.

“I’m pleased the court has granted a six month Partial Closure Order which allows this mortgaged property to be sold. The homeowner is happy with the outcome and has told us he wants to move away from the area, seek help for his drug addiction and try and move on with his life.”

The Partial Closure Order prohibits anyone from remaining in the property apart from an estate agent instructed by the homeowner from a recognised estate agent and any potential buyers escorted by an estate agent. The order is in place for six months and expires on 22nd February 2018.

If you are experiencing anti-social behaviour don’t suffer in silence. As seen in this case, if a property is privately owned we can still take action if there is evidence of on-going anti-social behaviour, drug use and criminality. Please let us know so we can do something about it.

A one stop-shop for information on anti-social behaviour is available at www.surreycommunitysafety.org.uk