Stockport Homes Closes Adswood Crack House

Published by Nicola Mileham for Stockport Homes in Housing and also in Communities, Local Government

Stockport Homes has successfully secured a Crack House Closure in respect of the premises of 36 Culver Road, Adswood, Stockport. On Wednesday 6 July 2011 the Crack House Closure Order was granted in Stockport Magistrates Court. As a result of the order the tenant has to vacate the property for a period of three months. In addition, Stockport Homes has issued a Notice of Seeking Possession against the tenant and are in the process of applying to the Court for possession of the property.

The tenant of 36 Culver Road had been causing serious nuisance, annoyance, disorder and class A drug use at the property for some time. Residents living nearby were subjected to: 

• intimidation, verbal abuse and threats;
• large numbers of callers to the address at all times of the day, evening and the early hours of the morning;
• drug and alcohol abuse on Culver Road and in the property;
• violent incidents in the street; and
• loud parties continuing into the early hours. 

Residents in the area began to fear the on going nuisance and disorder and felt harassed and intimidated by the occupant of 36 Culver Road and their visitors. Residents felt trapped in their own home and unable to deal with the matter for fear of reprisals. The police executed two Misuse of Drugs Act search warrants and recovered both Amphetamines and needles on two separate occasions. 

Staff from Stockport Homes, the Local Authority and Greater Manchester Police contacted residents about the problems they were experiencing and, as a result, enough evidence was secured for a Crack House Closure Order to be obtained in July 2011. This effectively has shut the property down for a period of three months. 

The work carried out by Stockport Homes, the Council and the Police demonstrated the commitment of the Safer Stockport Partnership in tackling nuisance and Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in Stockport. 

Dave Kirwan, Stockport Homes’ Board Champion on Respect said: “The Crack House Closure Order that has been secured on the property is a great success and comes after months of hard work by the Safer Stockport Partnership. I am very pleased that the residents of Culver Road will now be able to go about their daily lives without the fear of Anti-Social Behaviour.” 

Police Constable Stephen Webster, who patrols Adswood and Bridgehall, said: “The community has stood up and provided information that has enabled us to close down this property so I’d like to thank them for all their support. I hope the closure now gives them the much-needed respite they need from drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour. People should continue to contact us and make their voice heard. I understand it may be daunting to come forward to police so you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Photo caption: PC Stephen Webster and Caroline Lumsdon (ASB Officer, Stockport Homes) outside 36 Culver Road, Adswood

END

Note for Editor:

For further information please contact:
Jane Ratcliff, Marketing and Communications Manager, Stockport Homes
Tel: 0161 474 2863