A PROPERTY in Newport has been closed as a result of the anti-social and criminal behaviour of the people living there.

At Newport Magistrates Court on Thursday 14th May, the court heard how the residents living at Campion Close, Barracks Wood in Newport were having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of neighbours in the vicinity, and those living and working in Newport.

There have been increasing reports about the supply of drugs from the address as well as the associated disorder.

Between 2009 and 2013, officers have received 38 calls in relation to cannabis being used and grown and about drugs being smoked. Since the beginning of 2014, a further 10 calls in relation to the same. However these have also included information that people have been smoking cannabis in the back garden. Drugs warrants have been carried out at the address and on each occasion, drugs have been found.

Local residents have been spoken to by officers who state that the behaviour includes visitors throughout the day and evening wanting to buy drugs. Large gangs sit on garden walls of surrounding houses causing intimidation to the home owners as well as passing pedestrians.

Some “customers” attend on scooters and cars, revving up and down the street causing a danger for children who cannot play safely in the street and residents have also had callers to their doors wanting to buy cannabis by mistake.

As a result, the court granted a closure order on the property, owned by Charter Housing, for three months and the property has been boarded up. Anyone attempting to enter the property faces arrest.

PC Leanne Pole said: “From hearing about the distress and strain that local residents have been put under as a result of the behaviour at Campion Close, we hope that this closure order will be a positive step for them. Anti-social behaviour and criminal activity will not be tolerated in our communities and we’ll take action, along with our partner agencies to deal with the offenders.”

Kathryn Edwards, Corporate Director of Charter Housing, added: “We’ve worked closely with Gwent Police on this case, providing information that we received and a statement to support their actions, and also attending Court to lend our support.

"We’re very pleased at the outcome, and will be using new powers available to us via the 2014 ASB Crime and Policing Act , which mean we can ask the Court to end a tenancy subject to a Closure Order. Our priority is to ensure that neighbours living in the area feel safe and secure, and feel reassured that they will no longer have to put up with the problems that have been caused at this address.”