City of York Council, North Yorkshire Police and Safer York Partnership are working with local residents to crackdown on anti-social behaviour in the Dringhouses area of York.

The council in conjunction with the police served a closure notice at 36 Sandcroft Road, York (on Sunday 27 May).

The notice has been served as a result of allegations of anti social behaviour (ASB) at the premises and is in accordance with legislation, which made amendments to the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 and came into force in December 2008.

The allegations of ASB reported include gangs of numerous youths, shouting, swearing, both in the house and also in the garden area and loud music.

The premises closure notice is the first step in an application which if granted by York Magistrates Court on 28 May at 2pm may close the property to the occupants and their visitors for up to three months.

Chief Inspector Phil Cain of York Safer Neighbourhood Command: “North Yorkshire Police and our partners in the City of York Council continue to work hard to improve the quality of life for the communities of York and will not tolerate those who are intent on causing anti-social behaviour.”

This legislation is being used for the fifth time by the local authority since it was introduced December 2008.

The legislation provides for a property to be closed down for a maximum of three months if within the three months prior to a premises closure notice being served a person has engaged in anti-social behaviour on the premises, and, that the use of the premises is associated with significant and persistent disorder or persistent serious nuisance to members of the public.

The action commences with the service of a premises closure notice upon the occupiers and persons with an interest in the property.

Once the notice has been served anyone who is not habitually resident in the premises must leave otherwise they are committing a criminal offence.

Any persons habitually resident can remain in residence until a hearing takes place at the Magistrates Court, which must take place within 48 hours of service of the notice.

The Magistrates will determine whether or not a premises closure order is granted and if it is, the premises can be closed for a maximum of three months, if they determine that the making of the order is necessary to prevent the occurrence of such disorder or nuisance.

Such an order will also include those habitually resident at the premises. Breach of a premises closure order is a criminal offence.

Injunction Orders have also been obtained through the County Court and warning letters will also be issued to anyone in the vicinity or the property warning them that anti social and nuisance behaviour will not be considered and that action will be taken against any other individuals who cause a nuisance in the area.