Reading's Oxford Road has been blighted by crack houses

On Wednesday, magistrates in Reading used new powers to order two crack houses to be boarded up and for anyone trying to get in to be arrested.

The resident of one home is said to have been "preyed upon" by dealers.

His flat in Ivydene, and another property in George Street, will be boarded up for the next three months under new anti-social behaviour laws.

I want people in our communities to know that we are listening to them Superintendent Dilip Amin

A spokeswoman for Thames Valley Police said: "The tenant of the Ivydene flat is considered to be a vulnerable male who has been preyed upon by crack-dealers and has had his home and life taken over by them.

"Because of his status, he will be given the support needed to find him somewhere new to live, where he will be supported to prevent him from being picked upon again."

The 46-year-old resident of the other flat in George Street was not at home when police served the initial closure notice on Monday night.

The closure orders were obtained by police for the first time using the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

The action has been backed by local landlords and those who work with the homeless.

'Clear message'

Tim Hall, manager at the Reading Warden Housing Association, said: "Often drug dealers target vulnerable residents and 'take over' their property through intimidation.

"This law will stop drug dealers establishing a base."

Sharon Pointer, manager of the Reading Single Homeless Project (RSHP), said: "We want to send a clear message that while RSHP will continue to support drug users who wish to address their addiction, we will not tolerate drug-dealing and the associated anti-social behaviour within our properties."

A number of crack houses have already been targeted in the area as part of the ongoing Operation Eightfold, launched to crack down on prostitution and drug-dealing that has been blighting residents lives around the Oxford Road.