House boarded up after wave of trouble

A house in Saltash which became a magnet for drug use, drunkeness and late night parties was yesterday boarded up after police were granted a special court order.

According to police, the property at 32 Wentworth Way was at the centre of 8 per cent of all calls regarding anti-social behaviour in the town over the last six months.

Saltash Inspector Martin Williams said local people’s lives had been made a misery.

“The residents have endured this behaviour over a period of three years and as a result of all the ongoing anti-social behaviour we have taken decisive action.

“It shows the wider community that we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour which affects the quality of life for residents.”

Some of the incidents which have led to the order include drunken behaviour in and around the property, use of drugs, noise nuisance, parties until the early hours of the morning, fights spilling out on to the street, loud and abusive language by the resident and her visitors.

The closure order, granted by magistrates in Liskeard yesterday, is the first one for a property in Saltash.

Police, officials from Cornwall Council and Sanctuary Housing subsequently boarded up the house to prevent the return of the tenant.

The order means that the property cannot be re-entered by the tenant for three months.

Police have worked closely with Cornwall Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team and Sanctuary Housing who realise that this closure will put people out on the street.

PC Rachel Short said the order meant residents could look forward to a quieter life.

She said: “In such a large town this percentage of calls is completely disproportionate and shows the scale of torment local residents have had to endure.”