Police suspected the house was being used by crack dealers

Officers believed the property was a so-called "crack house" for the use, supply or production of Class A drugs and they swooped with a court order.

Now the house will remain closed for three months under legislation which came into force last month.

An interim anti-social behaviour order is in force against a 38-year-old woman pending a full hearing in April.

Boarded up

Under the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003 police have to show there is reasonable suspicion that the use, supply or production of Class A drugs is taking place or there is serious nuisance or disorder in the area.

Officers stressed that the orders can be served without an actual seizure of drugs from the premises.

On Thursday evening, magistrates granted police an order which means the private property, which cannot be identified for legal reasons, will remain completely closed to everyone for three months.

Anyone found in the house, which has been boarded up, could be fined up to �5,000 or jailed for six months, or both, police warned.

Supt Kevin Lincoln, of South Yorkshire Police said: "These places are a blight on the local community.

"When you have one in your street, you have people of questionable character turning up all time and syringes and other paraphernalia turning up all over the place.

"We welcome this legislation very much and are already working on other targets where it can be used."