Home closed in Portsmouth after four months of 'unbearable' nuisance, violence, underage drinking and harassment

A HOME has been shut after four months of nuisance making people's lives 'unbearable'.
Police secured the full closure of a property in Bridgeside Close in Portsmouth after months of unbearable nuisance. Picture: Hampshire policePolice secured the full closure of a property in Bridgeside Close in Portsmouth after months of unbearable nuisance. Picture: Hampshire police
Police secured the full closure of a property in Bridgeside Close in Portsmouth after months of unbearable nuisance. Picture: Hampshire police

Portsmouth police's high harm team sought the closure of the property at Bridgeside Close, in Landport, and this was granted by city magistrates.

It comes after a spike in noise, drug use, violence, underage drinking, criminal damage, harassment, intimidation and littering linked to the home.

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The Portsmouth City Council leased property is rented out to a private tenant.

Police secured the full closure of a property in Bridgeside Close in Portsmouth after months of unbearable nuisance. Picture: Hampshire policePolice secured the full closure of a property in Bridgeside Close in Portsmouth after months of unbearable nuisance. Picture: Hampshire police
Police secured the full closure of a property in Bridgeside Close in Portsmouth after months of unbearable nuisance. Picture: Hampshire police

Senior investigations officer Dave Clark, of Portsmouth City Council Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, said: ‘The ensuing levels of crime, nuisance and disorder in and around the address made life entirely unbearable for local residents and their families.

‘Working with our partners at Hampshire Constabulary, housing and social care, obtaining this order will stop the harm occurring within the community and allow the Landlord of the address to obtain an order for possession during the period of closure.’

Anyone entering the boarded up property is committing a crime, police said.

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PC Gem Cooper said: ‘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.’

Residents have revealed their relief at the closure of the nuisance property that has blighted the neighbourhood for months.

A female, who did not want to be named, said: 'It's about time they did something. We've had to live for months with this. There's been drug dealing, fights, people smashing glass bottles. It's been a nightmare.'

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Another said: 'It's been like living in a war zone at times with all the noise and trouble. There's regularly been young people getting smashed on alcohol who then dish out abuse to anyone they see on the street. You constantly have to be on your guard and look over your shoulder.

'I'm pleased they have shut it down but it shouldn't have taken this long when things were so bad. I just hope they keep it shut down as otherwise the problems will just start up again.'

A dad with two young children added: 'There's been lots of stuff going on over there. We've had loud late night parties where there's been trouble and shouting. There's always random people just turning up - it's not difficult to figure out why.

'It's not great when you've got kids who want to go out and play down the road but it's kicking off down there again. You can't keep them locked up in the house the whole time. It was a bit of a worry letting them go out to play. We just had to keep a close eye on them. It's long overdue that place was shut down.'