A Stockton house used for drug dealing has been shut down by police.

Residents in the area were living in fear and most were too scared to leave their homes at night.

Howard Place was visited at all times of the night for drug deals that were intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.

Cleveland Police received 30 reports for drug and violence-related incidents since 2020.

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Councillor Norma Stephenson, the Council's Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety, said: “The shocking activities at this property left local residents feeling extremely scared and unsafe for many months, with witnesses initially afraid to come forward for fear of repercussions.

“It's absolutely unacceptable that innocent people should endure such behaviour which some say has affected their health, and I'm very pleased the closure order will bring some peace to the neighbourhood.

“I'd like to thank our Civic Enforcement Officers for their hard work and dedication to help secure the closure order alongside the local policing team and ward councillors.”

The case was brought before Teesside Magistrates Court and residents told the court they were scared to let their children play in the streets.

Needles and drug paraphernalia were found at the local playground.

A statement from Cleveland Police was read out in court stating that the property was ‘known for drug dealing’.

The court was told that in June seven people were arrested inside the property for drug dealing offences and Class A drugs were found in the property.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Cleveland Police were successful in attaining a Closure Order on the property.

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The order means that the tenant, Laura Leeming, must not enter the property and it is inaccessible to anyone for three months.

Inspector Mitch Baldwin, from the Stockton Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “Drugs cause nothing but suffering in our communities and thanks to our colleagues at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council they have ensured the property has been closed to stop further drugs activity on this street.

“We will always do our utmost to support our colleagues at the council and will continue to work closely with them to clamp down on criminal activity.”