A BOSCOMBE property has been closed by magistrates for three months after issues with drug-related activity and anti-social behaviour.

A court order was secured for Flat 3, 40 Hamilton Road at Poole Magistrates' Court under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

It means that for three months access to the property is prohibited to anyone except the landlord or their agents.

The windows and doors of the property, which was occupied by Emmaline Roberts, have been boarded up. The closure notice attached to the property states “the use of the premises is associated with significant and persistent disorder or persistent serious nuisance to members of the public”.

Boscombe Neighbourhood Policing Team worked jointly with Bournemouth council to secure the order following concerns over drug-related activity at the address, believed to be linked to county lines drug supply networks, and associated anti-social behaviour.

Neighbourhood Inspector Jon Wasey, of Bournemouth police, said: “We have worked closely with our council partners to respond to concerns that have been raised in relation to those associated with this address.

“I appreciate this activity has had a significant impact on residents in the area and we have worked hard to compile evidence to put before the court.

“We are committed to tackling drug-related activity and anti-social behaviour in our communities and I hope this case demonstrates that we will take proactive action with our partners in response to local concerns.”

Sophie Ricketts, targeted enforcement manager at Bournemouth council, said: “We continue to work in partnership with Dorset Police and with the local residents to ensure that premises that are causing a detrimental effect on the local community, due to associated anti-social behaviour, are subject to appropriate enforcement action.”

As previously reported, gangs operate so-called ‘county lines’ in Dorset. The practice sees gangs from large cities use dedicated phone lines to supply drugs to smaller towns. The issue is an increasing concern in the county, with many neighbourhood policing teams listing it as one of their top three priorities.