Officers board up drug den house

The house, in Moorgate, has become the subject of a closure order issued by Retford magistrates, and will remain boarded up until midnight on Thursday, September 2.

Anyone entering the house can be arrested.

Nottinghamshire Police and Bassetlaw District Council's anti-social behaviour unit obtained the order in response to complaints from members of the public.

The tenants, Julie Woodcock, 43, and 39-year-old David Cliff-Taylor, have each been prosecuted for possession of amphetamines.

Woodock was convicted in May of possessing class A and class B drugs, while Cliff-Taylor was found guilty in March of possessing a class B drug. Both have voluntarily left the property.

Pc Steve Meredith, who led the investigation that prompted the closure order, said: "This house had become a hive of antisocial behaviour centred around the availability of drugs at the property.

"It had become a blight on the community but thankfully the public were very supportive of the process we put in place to have the house closed and the tenants removed.

"As well as enforcing the order during the period of closure we will also be speaking directly to its owner and landlord about his responsibility to let the house in future to responsible tenants who will show respect for the property, the neighbourhood and the people who live around them."

Gerald Connor, community safety co-ordinator for Bassetlaw District Council, added: "This was a fantastic team effort by the community, police and council, we all benefit but most importantly the community regain their neighbourhood from a small minority of individuals who seek to spoil it.

"This is a victory for the majority and in the future there will be others as long as we stand together."