Riverside Housing helps to close Wirral crackhouse » Housing » 24dash.com

Riverside Housing has helped to close a crackhouse, which blighted the lives of its neighbours – the first closure for the social landlord on the Wirral.

Officers used ‘crackhouse closure’ legislation to shut down the flat on Old Chester Road, Birkenhead after Riverside Housing put forward a dossier of evidence showing that drugs were being taken there.

The social landlord worked with police and the borough council to obtain the closure notice, which was served under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 by Wirral Magistrates.

The court agreed that the Riverside Housing property has been associated with the unlawful use of Class A controlled drugs.

Kate Harris, neighbourhood manager for Riverside Housing, said: “We have been gathering evidence for some time now from residents in the neighbourhood who were sick of people calling at the flat at all hours of the day and night. We have reports of violence and noise nuisance and associated disorder.”

Riverside Housing is applying to the courts for a possession order in June.

Kate added: “This case goes to show that if residents speak out about nuisance neighbours we can work together to take positive action to improve the quality of life for the majority of decent tenants and residents.”

Mick Blease, the neighbourhood Inspector for Rock Ferry added: “This is an excellent example of partnerships at work. We want to send out the message that a zero tolerance approach will be adopted when anti-social behaviour is connected to the illegal use of drugs.

"We will take every action against those who disregard the quality of life of law abiding residents.”

Wirral Police are targeting at least two other crackhouses in the Tranmere and Rock Ferry areas.