North East flat shut down after drug dealing and disorder

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 15:02 · Archive

A Stockton flat has been closed for three months after residents reported drug dealing and violent disorder.

Stockton Council and Cleveland Police secured a three-month closure order for 15b Smith Street at Teesside Magistrates' Court on 21 October, following months of reported anti-social behaviour and criminal activity.

Residents had witnessed alleged daytime drug dealing through the flat's letterbox, upstairs window and nearby car park. Witnesses reported a stream of visitors arriving at all hours, regularly heard shouting and fighting from the property, and on one occasion saw a group of men armed with machetes attack the flat. Litter including drug paraphernalia was left around the property, and drug taking was reported in a nearby alleyway.

The closure order bans the tenants from entering the property and closes it to everyone for three months. The flat has been boarded up, and anyone attempting to enter could face prosecution. Councillor Norma Stephenson said the anti-social behaviour had caused alarm and distress for residents and workers in the area, and that the council would not tolerate such conduct from a small minority.

The closure order was issued on the same day Cleveland Police carried out the latest phase of Operation Artemis across Stockton, targeting serious and organised crime.

How it is being reported

• Shut down: 'Stream of visitors at Stockton flat that used letterbox for alleged drug deals'The property on Smith Street, Stockton, has been closed down for three monthsTeessideLive · 22 Oct, 14:46
• North East flat plagued by drug dealing and disorder shut downCleveland Police and Stockton council have issued a closure order for a Stockton flat plagued by drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.The Northern Echo · 22 Oct, 11:48

In this story: Stockton Council · Cleveland Police · Smith Street · Stockton · Norma Stephenson · Teesside Magistrates' Court

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