Hampshire Police Shut Down Nuisance House in Portsmouth
Hampshire Constabulary’s Portsmouth High Harm Reduction Team, Anti-Social Behaviour Team, and Charles Dickens Neighbourhood Policing Team have slammed a full Closure Order on a troublesome property in Bridgeside Close. The crackdown, done hand-in-hand with Portsmouth City Council, follows years of escalating trouble since March 2019.
Drugs, Violence, and Chaos: Residents Fed Up
The house became a hotspot for drug abuse, violence, vehicle vandalism, underage drinking, noise complaints, criminal damage, harassment, intimidation, and littering. The full Closure Order now means nobody can enter the property without risking arrest and criminal charges.
The police wasted no time securing the scene, boarding up the property to stop further disturbances.
Officers and Council Hit Back at Anti-Social Behaviour
PC Gem Cooper, Portsmouth High Harm Reduction Team, said: “We are very pleased with this positive outcome. Our mission is to safeguard the people of Portsmouth from harm, and on this occasion, we have taken robust action to ensure the safety of our communities.”
“Local residents have had their lives disrupted over the last four months due to criminal activity at this house. Our message to those who think it is acceptable to act in such a way is that Hampshire Constabulary and Portsmouth City Council will not tolerate this behaviour.”
“We do not take these decisions lightly, but if you break the law and your tenancy, we will take action. We hope the residents can now enjoy peace and normality again.”
Senior Investigations Officer Dave Clark from Portsmouth City Council Anti-Social Behaviour Unit added: “This address is council-leased and rented privately. The levels of crime and nuisance here made life unbearable for locals.”
“Working with Hampshire Constabulary, Housing & Social Care, this order will stop the harm and allow the landlord to seek possession during closure. Portsmouth City Council will not tolerate nuisance and criminality impacting our communities.”
