Towcester drug-dealing house closure order extended

A closure order on a house police believe is used for drug dealing has been extended for three months.

The council-owned property in Caernarvon Close in Towcester, Northamptonshire, will stay boarded up until 21 May.

Northamptonshire Police said local people had reported drug-related anti-social behaviour, with an original order in place until 7 March.

Any unauthorised person who enters the house could be arrested, police said.

Northamptonshire Police and West Northamptonshire Council obtained a three-month closure order in December to board the property up.

According to the police, residents had reported that the house was being used for the supply and consumption of illegal drugs and was attracting "persistent anti-social behaviour".

The original order was due to expire on 7 March, so the police, council and housing association applied for an extension to stop the occupant returning.

This was granted on 22 February at Northampton Magistrates' Court, meaning the only people allowed to enter the property during this time were the emergency services and Grand Union Housing staff.

Jim King, of Towcester's neighbourhood policing team, said: "We know how much the local community was affected by this criminality and ASB and it's great to know that will continue to be prevented by this order."

David Smith, the cabinet member for community safety at West Northamptonshire Council, said: "As a council we are committed to tackling the growing challenges around this crime.

"I strongly urge any victims of anti-social behaviour to report it immediately and not suffer in silence."

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