Tayside Police have been granted a closure order on a council-owned flat in Huntly Road, in Dundee, which had been the focus of anti-social behaviour by residents and visitors to the address.

The closure order was granted under the terms of the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2004 at Dundee Sheriff Court yesterday afternoon. It will remain in place for a period of three months. The occupants are a 51-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man.

This action was taken following close consultation with the local authority and other agencies and after exhausting all other possible solutions. It was necessary because of the detrimental effect that the behaviour of the tenants and their associates had upon other residents in the area.

The flat is situated in a residential area and there is also a sheltered housing complex and shopping centre nearby.

Tayside Police Chief Superintendent Colin McCashey, Divisional Commander in Dundee, said:

‘‘Despite repeated efforts to try and make these individuals aware that their behaviour was unacceptable, it was apparent that they were not prepared to change their ways. Other residents in the area have had to endure a range of incidents over a long period of time and it was for their sakes that we took this action.

‘‘Closure orders are a last resort, but this decision today will provide long-suffering residents with some respite and the chance to restore some relative peace and quiet to their lives.

‘‘In the meantime, Tayside Police, Dundee City Council and others will strive to find a satisfactory, long term solution to this issue.’’

Dundee City Council housing convener Councillor George Regan said:

‘‘We welcome the decision to grant a closure order in this case. The effectiveness of the council's anti-social behaviour team has again been demonstrated by the action to help local residents.

'The council works closely with the police and other agencies in the city to tackle the type of behaviour that is completely unacceptable to the vast majority of decent, law-abiding people in Dundee who deserve the right to live peacefully in our communities.'

Concerns had been raised with Dundee City Council and Tayside Police over a period of time about the anti-social behaviour of the occupants and people attending at the flat, with residents being frightened to go out of doors alone.

These problems persisted despite repeated efforts by the local authority’s anti-social behaviour team and Tayside Police.

Mr McCashey said:

‘‘The failure of the two residents to acknowledge and deal with their unacceptable behaviour has led us to today’s decision. A closure order is not something that we seek lightly to have imposed, but the fact that the every day lives of other resident’s will benefit leaves us satisfied with this decision.

‘‘As we have stated before - everyone, whether living in council or housing association property or privately-owned homes, has a right to live their lives in relative peace and quiet. To ensure this, Tayside Police will use all available legislation so that the rights of the community at large are upheld.

‘‘No one should have to live with the threat or fear of criminal or anti-social behaviour and we will take action against people who, through their actions or behaviour, make others suffer.’’

Tayside Police will also continue to monitor the local area whilst the closure order is in place.