A HOUSE notorious for drug problems and antisocial behaviour has been shut off by police using powers never before brought into force in Brighton and Hove.

The property in Terminus Road near Brighton Station was made subject of the closure order under the Antisocial Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 on Friday.

After neighbours complained about drug misuse and noise, police sought the court order banning anyone but the 36-year-old occupant from entering.

Neighbours expressed relief at the news and said it was a step in the right direction to tackling drug problems in the area.

A 64-year-old man claimed an alleyway nearby was a thoroughfare for drug users who congregated to prepare their kicks, adding: “There’s a lot of noise, it’s quite worrying.”

A woman in her 30s said residents were sent letters by the police telling them of steps they are taking to crack down on drug problems. Another said she left her house one day to find needles on her doorstep.

A mother-of-two added: “There’s always a lot of noise a few doors down from us but we try to keep our heads down.”

It is the first time the relatively new law has been enacted in the city and offers different options to police than previous legislation such as the crack house closure orders available under the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003.

It means it is a criminal offence for anyone other than the 36-year-old to enter the house for three months.

PC Jimmy Conway said officers took action after numerous complaints were made to Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council.

He said: "Numerous reports have raised issues with this address, which has caused increasing misery for those living nearby.

"We have taken a joint-agency problem-solving approach and responded effectively to the community.

"We hope this action shows we will listen and respond to complaints from the public.”

He urged residents to speak out and report problem neighbours, drug misuse and anti-social behaviour in the city by calling police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

FACTFILE

CLOSURE orders are a new police power under the Anti Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014. 

Magistrates' courts have the power to issue the order on an application from police or a local authority after a closure notice - notifying the person in question of what is going to happen - has been served. 

The application must be heard by the court no later than 48 hours since the closure notice was issued. 

The court makes the order if it is satisfied the person is behaving in an offensive, disorderly or criminal manner, the use of the premises has resulted in a “serious nuisance to members of the public” and that the action is necessary to put a stop to the problems.