A flat has been ordered closed for three months after Magistrates' heard reports of antisocial behaviour and children being used in drug deals at the property.

Teesside Magistrates Court ordered the closure of a flat at Wilson Court on Cleveland Street, Guisborough on Wednesday (August 2).

This came after the court heard reports of ongoing antisocial behaviour and crime including children being used in a suspected crack cocaine dealing operation.

It was also told that machetes, combat knives and a rifle had been seen at the property.

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Cllr Adam Brook, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Housing, said: “People in this area deserve peace and to feel safe in their own homes and this kind of behaviour simply cannot be tolerated.

"I’d like to thank our anti-social behaviour officers, Cleveland Police, and anyone else involved in doing what it took to secure this positive result for the decent people of the area.”

The 50-year-old female tenant has been evicted from the property after magistrates agreed to Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s closure order application recently.

The Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Officers started logging reports of anti-social behaviour related to drug dealing in recent months.

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This included suspected drug dealing at all hours, people banging on the windows for deals, reports of knives and a rifle being moved in and out of the property, children being used for suspected drug deals and stolen vehicles and property at the address.

Cleveland Police Inspector Neil Deluce said: “Drug dealing and the almost inevitable associated other crime and anti-social behaviour can cause untold misery to the law-abiding majority in our communities, and we simply will not tolerate this behaviour. 

“We welcome information and evidence from those members of the community who tell us what is happening and who is involved and we use the intelligence provided to take enforcement action.

“Similarly, Cleveland Police will continue to support our local authority colleagues to obtain closure orders for properties involved in criminality and anti-social behaviour.”

A number of police intelligence reports in June, including one which indicated children as young as 12 were being used for drug crimes, resulted in a raid.

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25 incidents and police intelligence reports relating to the property were made.

Anonymous statements were given confirming the anti-social behaviour which began earlier this year.

The court heard that the housing provider of the property supported the application for a court order.