A HOUSING association is hoping a closure order secured against a Dorset address will provide "respite" for residents.

Sovereign and Dorset Police initially secured a temporary two-week order for 76 The Meadows in Gillingham.

The case was back in course in mid-December when magistrates sitting in Poole granted a three-month order under section 80 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

This measure means that no visitors are permitted to attend the address, which is part of a block of homes.

Other residents in the block are still allowed guests under the order, while access is still permitted for emergency services, the landlord and owner of the property.

Helen Hann, Sovereign regional director for housing said: "At Sovereign we believe everyone should have a place they are proud to call home in communities they want to live in. 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 while we try and find a suitable solution for all concerned.

"At a further hearing a three-month closure order was granted, which will remain in force until February, giving local residents some respite."

As reported, Inspector Simon Perry, of North Dorset police said officers had responded 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," said Inspector Perry.

Closure orders, which provide local authorities with powers to protect communities by shutting premises that are causing a nuisance, 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.