Residents have spoken of their relief after a notorious house in Weymouth was shut down – bringing to an end an endless stream of 'screaming, shouting, drug activity and a constant police presence'.

The house of multiple occupation (HMO) in Hanover Road at Lodmoor was shut down after Dorset Police obtained a court order on the back of what the force said was repeated complaints of noise, drug activity, drunkenness and fighting involving a number of the house's occupants.

The eight occupants were ordered to leave after the closure notice was secured.

Dorset Echo:

Council chiefs say the case demonstrates authorities' readiness to take action against landlords who fail to act on reports of anti-social behaviour.

Hanover Road resident Melissa Dacey, who lives with her two children, said there had been continuing trouble on the street, stemming, she said, from the HMO in question.

"It's been so bad that my kids can't even play out in front of the house," she said.

She added that police had been visiting the road 'every day' that she had lived there. "I'm so relieved [the tenants] have gone," she said.

Dorset Echo:

Her neighbours Frank and Ann Fay meanwhile said the HMO had been the source of the worst behaviour they'd seen in 55 years' residence on the street.

"There's constant screaming and shouting," Mrs Fay said. "They play their records until 12 o'clock and it keeps the neighbours awake."

Mr Fay added he had 'never seen so many police cars' coming to the road. The couple added, however, that the HMO's owner often came round to apologise for the trouble.

Cllr Gill Taylor, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s Briefholder for Housing, said: “I am pleased that this decision has been reached and would like to thank the police for their work towards this outcome.

“The closure of this house will significantly improve the quality of life for the residents in the area. It sends a clear message to all landlords that they must deal with incidents of anti-social behaviour by their tenants or risk the closure of their property.

“The council acknowledges that not all of the tenants in the property were responsible for the disturbance caused to the community, and is working with those tenants that have innocently been made homeless to find alternative accommodation.”

A DRAIN ON POLICE RESOURCES

Dorset Police said the eight occupants of the address were ordered to leave on Thursday, July 12 after Weymouth Magistrates’ Court served a three-month closure notice order under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The order states that anyone who remains in or enters the address is liable for prosecution.

PC Sandra Rigby, of the Weymouth Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Anti-social behaviour is a blight on the community and we have taken decisive action due to the alarming number of complaints made by local residents.

"I would like to thank everyone who provided intelligence and information about what was occurring at the address and I appreciate how the ASB has had a real impact on residents.

"Since early 2018 there had been a significant increase in ASB from individuals connected to the address. This has included alleged drug activity, fights, drunken behaviour and noise. This has been a drain on police resources that could have been best served elsewhere.

"We have consulted with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council while securing this order and I hope it provides residents with reassurance that we will deal with their concerns and take positive action where necessary.

"The individuals who have been removed from the property have been referred to the relevant agencies for support and assistance to find suitable housing."

Anyone who has concerns about anti-social behaviour in their community should contact Dorset Police.