Police close property on Lugsdale Road in Widnes over ASB problems

Cheshire Police has secured a closure order following reports of drug dealing, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. The property, on Lugsdale Road, has caused an ’18-month-long anguish’ for the community, and it has now been shut down by officers. The closure order was granted at Warrington Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Wednesday, and will run for three months.

It comes as a direct result of officers responding to the concerns of residents regarding anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and drug related activity. The occupant, a 36-year-old man who the force says is ‘well-known to local police’, and his associates who frequented the property, created a sense of panic amongst the community, with some residents hesitant to contact police through fear of a response from him, Cheshire Police said. He has since been ordered to leave the property and find alternative accommodation, with all windows and doors being boarded up for a period of three months.

Anyone who enters the address during that time will be committing a criminal offence and could be arrested. On the closure, PC Gary Ellison said: “Residents have been incredibly supportive and are extremely grateful for the closure, and without them we would not have secured this result. “Officers at Widnes Beat Team made a promise to keep this neighbourhood and its residents safe, and by removing this resident, who has caused them nothing but distress for the past 18 months, we have kept that promise.

“I want to urge anyone with concerns about anti-social behaviour or other criminality in their community to please contact local officers, and we will do everything we can to address these issues and achieve justice.”

Anyone with concerns about anti-social or suspicious behaviour in their area is asked to report it to Cheshire Police via the force’s website or by calling 101.