A CRACKDOWN on antisocial behaviour has begun with an order put in place to prevent people moving in to troublesome properties.

Brighton and Hove City Council successfully applied for a closure order for a flat in May Road, meaning nobody can move in to the privately-owned property for three months due to serious disorder.

Concerns were raised after police were called to serious incidents at the property recently, prompting the council to step in.

Last month The Argus reported how a man was savagely beaten by two others in May Road.

Residents said the men had been at the flat which has been closed and said the tenant, a woman, consistently used and sold drugs from the flat while partying and playing music loudly until the early hours.

One man, who lives close to the flat, said he was glad the woman had been evicted but felt there was still a long way to go to fix the street.

The man, a father-of-three who asked not to be named, said: “It is a lot more peaceful here without her.

“My kids are getting to sleep at night now.

“She has been back once since the incident last month.

“She broke in to the flat but was only there for about five minutes.

“We’ve not seen her since.”

He added: “There are still three or four houses with people who need kicking out.

“Young kids from a house further down the road are still out stealing bikes and making noise.”

A council statement said: “Problems in May Road were caused by a tenant at the privately-owned flat.

“A full closure order has been made which means no one can enter the property for three months, apart from the leaseholders and anyone authorised by the council, which is the freeholder.”

There has also been an order put in place at a property in Camelford Street, Brighton.

Councillor Anne Meadows, chairwoman of Brighton and Hove City Council’s housing and new homes committee, said: “These cases are part of a package of action by Brighton and Hove City Council to tackle antisocial behaviour which can cause misery for people living nearby.

“Council staff work closely with the police to respond to problems and a total of 13 closure orders have been made in the last year, including these cases.

“Closures are a last resort, when other efforts to resolve the situation have been unsuccessful.

“However, this court action sends out a clear message that we will not hesitate to take this action when needed.”