Officers applied for a closure order for the property on Hythe Road after working closely with West Kent Housing. Over recent months the housing association was made aware of numerous issues including noisy disturbances and anti-social behaviour. The property had also been visited by police following concerns regarding drugs misuse.
The closure order was granted at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on 30 July 2024 and officers subsequently visited the property to close up the flat. The terms state that only the housing association that owns the property and emergency services can enter the flat for a period of three months. Anyone entering the flat in breach of the order can be prosecuted.
PC Chris Green said: ‘We fully understand the impact on nearby residents of the anti-social behaviour and drug concerns that have centred on this property, and that is why we have implemented measures to close this flat for a period of three months.
I would like to thank West Kent Housing for working with us as we gathered the information needed to go to court. Everyone has the right to feel safe in their place of residence and I hope that this closure offers some reassurance to the local community that their voices have been heard.
‘We take all reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and I would urge anyone experiencing issues to contact Kent Police as soon as possible after incidents arise, or via 999 if a crime is in progress.’
