City orders closure over anti-social allegations

The council, with the support of the police, served the closure notice on Isobel Sellers, of Chapelfields Road, Chapelfields, York, yesterday.

The notice follows a spate of alleged anti-social behaviour and drug offences at the property and could mean Miss Sellers and her visitors will have to stay away from the premises for up to three months.

Council head of housing services Steve Waddington said: "City of York Council, North Yorkshire Police and Safer York Partnership are working together to send out a strong message that anti-social and nuisance behaviour will not be tolerated.

"The council has a duty to protect residents from this kind of nuisance behaviour.

"A temporary eviction notice is always a last resort, but Miss Sellers failed to act despite receiving a number of warnings and we were left with no alternative."

The closure notice will now be considered by York County Court tomorrow at 11.30am.

Following the action, the council and police are issuing letters around the area warning that action will be taken against any other individuals who cause a nuisance.

Inspector Colin Moreton of the York South Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "I hope that this action sends out a warning to others who engage in similar behaviour and reassures the general public that we will continue take their concerns seriously."

This is the second time the council has used this legislation – an amendment to the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 – since it came into force in December 2008.