Closure order puts Holdingham property off-limits following antisocial behaviour reports

The property at 7 Bluebell Road in Holdingham, Sleaford is now the subject of a partial Closure Order which means that any unauthorised person who accesses it will be committing a criminal offence.

Anyone who goes inside it without permission could land themselves with a fine, or even a custodial sentence.

North Kesteven District Council’s Community Safety Team, Lincolnshire Police and Sage Homes representatives attended the house on Tuesday October 29 to implement a closure notice, then followed by a three-month Closure Order which was granted at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday October 30.

Action under the antisocial behaviour and housing legislation had already been taken together with the owner, Sage Homes, after residents had reported antisocial behaviour at the property. When this behaviour continued – together with concerns about visitors to the address and noxious odours – the Council’s Community Safety Team, Lincolnshire Police and Sage Homes worked together to seek a Closure Order from court as further and decisive action on the issues.

It means that nobody except the occupant, emergency services and authorised people such as Council or Police officers can enter the property for the next three months.

The council says the Closure Order also follows a recent police warrant at the address, where a number of suspected criminal offences were identified and persons arrested.

North Kesteven District Council Executive Member for Community Safety Coun Sally Tarry said: “Anti-social behaviour disrupts people’s lives and is not welcome anywhere within our communities in North Kesteven. When it does occur, we work together with partners and use a range of tools to tackle it.

“Since receiving reports about antisocial behaviour occurring at the property, we have been working closely with both Lincolnshire Police and the property owner Sage Homes to try to resolve the issues.

“As a council, we take antisocial behaviour and the impact it has very seriously. Reports are logged on a shared system with police and local partners and appropriate actions are sought – some behind the scenes, and others which are more visible such as the Closure Order applied for here. As part of the Community Safety Partnership we also work proactively to help tackle the root causes of crime and antisocial behaviour.

“With this Closure Order in place I hope that the surrounding community will now feel some relief and reassurance; and be assured that we will be monitoring together to ensure compliance with the order.”

Inspector Rachel Blackwell leads the North Kesteven Neighbourhood Policing Team. She said: “We hear first-hand the impact that anti-social behaviour can have on the lives of people living with it on their doorstep, and when it’s happening, those residents look to the police, the local council, and housing providers to take action.

“This closure order is absolutely the right step and I hope that it helps residents in that area see that the issue is being taken seriously.”