Widnes house ordered to shut after police called out 30 times in a month
Officers say persistent breaches of lockdown laws were reported
Police have obtained a closure order for a house in Widnes - where persistent anti-social behaviour and breaches of lockdown laws have been reported.
Officers have attended the address at Foster Street more than 30 times in the last month alone to break-up groups of people gathering inside and outside the building.
People have been given fixed penalty notices - but it's not stopped the problems - so a closure order's been granted by magistrates in Warrington, meaning only the tenant can be there for the next three months.
Cheshire Police's PC Ian Prashar said, "The behaviour of people inside and outside the address in Foster Street caused those living in nearby properties significant alarm, harassment and distress.
"I am delighted that the closure order has been secured and I want to thank the members of the public who played a key role in this.
"The information they supplied was crucial in us gathering the evidence needed to secure the order.
"We want people to be able to live in their homes without having to suffer from the effects of unacceptable issues at neighbouring properties.
"The closure order is another example of our commitment to targeting those who undermine our communities and have a significant detrimental impact on the quality of life of local residents through unacceptable behaviour.
"I hope that this case encourages others to report and give statements regarding such behaviour at properties they live near.
"As this case shows, we will do something about it."
There'll be regular checks made at the property and anyone found to be breaching the order could face six months in prison or an unlimited fine.
Superintendent Julie Westgate said, "Everyone should be aware of the need to stay at home to protect the NHS, save lives and stop the spread of Covid-19. It is really encouraging to see that the vast majority of people in Cheshire are doing this, only going out for the essential reasons.
"In this case, those who have been part of the gatherings inside and outside the house in Foster Street have not only made neighbours’ lives a misery through their excessive noise and anti-social behaviour, by not adhering to the lockdown regulations they have increased the chances of the coronavirus spreading, putting more lives at risk and potentially unnecessary strain on emergency medical care.
"They have also tied up a significant amount of police resources at a time when, like all other emergency services and key workers, our officers and staff are putting their own lives and the lives of their families at risk on a daily basis whilst working in really challenging circumstances."
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