A PROPERTY in North Dorset has been issued with a "temporary closure order" following repeated visitor-related issues.

Police officers worked with Dorset Council and Sovereign Housing Association after reports of noise disturbances and suspected drug-related activity at the address in Gillingham.

This led to the authorities successfully securing a short-term order from Poole Magistrates' Court which prohibited people from visiting 76 The Meadows.

The closure order, made under section 80 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act

2014, runs from when the notice was issued on November 24 until December 7, when another hearing will take place.

Inspector Simon Perry, of North Dorset police, said: “Officers from the neighbourhood policing team have worked closely with the local authority and the relevant housing association to respond to reports of repeated anti-social behaviour linked to visitors to the address. These reports have related to noise disturbance and suspected drug-related activity.

“By securing the closure order and prohibiting visitors to this address, we hope it will help to safeguard the occupant as well as improve the lives of residents in the area who have raised concerns about the anti-social behaviour.

“We are committed to listening to concerns that have been raised by our communities in relation to anti-social behaviour and I hope this demonstrates that we will take action to respond to issues that have been reported and safeguard vulnerable members of society."

Helen Hann, Sovereign's regional director housing, said: "When there are reports of anti-social behaviour in our areas we do all we can, working with our residents and our partner agencies, including the police, to try and ensure there is positive resolution to the problem.

“When this isn’t possible, in some cases of anti-social behaviour such as this, and as a last resort, a closure order can be applied for. This means that no visitors are allowed to the property other than the resident. We are currently working with our resident and a temporary closure order will remain in place until a further hearing next week.”

Dorset Police said anyone with information or concerns about anti-social behaviour in their community is should contact the force by visiting dorset.police.uk, emailing 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or calling 101.

Closure orders have been implemented at a number of addresses across Dorset in recent years.

They are issued under section 80 and section 76 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act and section 76 Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act of 2014.

Theses measures give local authorities fast and flexible powers that can be used to protect communities by quickly closing premises that are causing a nuisance to members of the public or disorder if they are not closed.