Police evicting tenant and close down rental property!

Rental property closed by Police

New closure powers used for the first time in South Wales to bring peace to Barry street.


A Barry woman and her landlord’s refusal to cooperate with ultimatums from the Safer

Vale Partnership during months of anti-social behaviour has resulted in the first eviction

and closure order of its kind being granted in Wales under the Anti Social Behaviour

Crime and Policing Act.



A Barry woman and her landlord’s refusal to cooperate with ultimatums from the Safer
Vale Partnership during months of anti-social behaviour has resulted in the first eviction and closure order involving a private landlord in south Wales under the Anti Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, 2014.

A 23 year-old woman who put her Barry neighbours through what has been described as a ‘tortured existence’ was evicted from 26 Cardiff Road, Barry, after a hearing at Cardiff Magistrates Court.

Since November 2014, police responded to 53 complaints about her threatening, abusive, and nuisance behaviour before applying for the Premises Closure Order which was granted on 31 July 2015.

The landlord in this case also refused to comply with police requests to begin a formal eviction process for his tenant despite the problems.

The closure order gave police the power to immediately evict the tenant but also to board-up and secure the property for three months, preventing anybody from having access.

It is believed to be the first time a closure order against a private landlord that has been secured in south Wales – and possibly Wales – since the new Anti Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act was introduced in October, 2014.

The legislation extended what became known as ‘crack house’ closure powers which allowed the immediate closure of any premises directly linked to drug related crime, to do the same based on evidence of anti social behaviour.

Inspector Robert Lewis, of the Safer Vale Partnership, said: “We have managed to secure what is certainly the first closure order against a private landlord in south Wales, and we are led to believe it is likely to be the first in Wales.

“I am pleased for the law abiding and respectful community living on Cardiff Road, who had to endure so many sleepless nights, worried that the chaos from number 26 would spill into the street or even reach them in their own homes.”

At one stage a restraining order was taken out by one neighbour to protect her from the tenant’s abusive behaviour and threats.

Inspector Lewis, added: “Not only do these powers provide immediate relief for those whose lives are turned upside down by nuisance neighbours, but it also forces landlords to be responsible when renting their properties out to tenants, because as with in this case, the landlord will not get any income from the property while it is secured, and it could remain that case for up to six months.”

The Police wasted no time with this New Law;

Police placed the closure notice on the property on Wednesday 29 July and it is the second closure under the new powers to be granted in Hastings and St Leonards.
Notice was served on the tenant and landlord on Wednesday 29 July and the property was boarded up on the Friday 31 July.
The application, under Section 76 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, was presented in Hastings Magistrates Court today (Friday 31 July).
The magistrate authorised closure for the maximum period of three months.
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Police have closed down a café in north London after a spate of violent attacks which have “blighted” the lives of residents.
Addis Ababa in Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, was shut after  about 20 violent incidents since December last year, police said.
The restaurant also has a club downstairs and a licence to serve alcohol until 5am.
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Merseyside Police have been granted a Closure Order against a property in Wallasey.
On Friday, 31 July Merseyside Police were successful in obtaining a Full Closure Order on 5 Oakbank Street at Wirral Magistrates Court.
Neighbourhood Inspector Peter Kolokotroni, said: “We can confirm that a Closure Order has been put in place at an address on Oakbank Street.
“The order was applied for by the local Neighbourhood policing team in response to numerous calls being received from members of the public who had experienced a prolonged period of anti-social behaviour by the resident and visitors to the address.