TWO Bournemouth flats have been shut down by the courts as police and council officials crack down on anti-social residents.

Flat 4, Castle Dene Lodge in Throop Road, Townsend was closed and occupant Lance De La Cour, 43, told not to return for three months after magistrates heard of neighbours had been threatened with violence.

The council made the successful application on October 11.

Lorraine Mealings, Bournemouth council's deputy director of housing, said: “The council housing team received complaints of anti-social from this address caused by the tenant and visitors to the property.

"There were allegations of drug use and threats of violence which was having a significant impact on other residents.

"Obtaining a closure order was necessary as previous action had failed to improve the situation. The order will remain in place for three months while we take further action.”

On October 16, 131 Palmerston Road in Boscombe was also shut down for three months.

Occupants Erol and Carol Bekir had contested the application, but magistrates decided to close the address for three months after a hearing.

Kelly Ansell, head of housing and community enforcement for the council, said the property was linked to persistent problems.

"Following investigations by the council’s anti-social behaviour team in partnership with Dorset Police, the detrimental effect on the community linked to the behaviour related to this property has resulted in a need for an application to close the premises," she said.

"This is always a last resort, indicating the severity of the impact on the community."

As reported in the Daily Echo, five properties in Bournemouth and Poole were closed by magistrates between April and early October.

Each of the addresses was the site of repeated problems, with neighbours alleging they were subjected to noise nuisance and verbal abuse.

Some of the properties have been tied to drugs use.

Addresses in Avenel Way, Poole, Turbary Park Road, West Howe, Campbell Road and Christchurch Road in Boscombe, and Dale Valley Road in Oakdale were shut.