A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a Harrogate man who allegedly breached a closure order on a house in Jennyfields.
The closure order, granted by Harrogate Magistrates Court on November 3, banned anyone except an authorised council officer and one other named person from entering the property for three months.
Harrogate Borough Council said in a statement after the hearing it applied for the order “following concerns about drug use and anti-social behaviour”.
Aaron John Herbert, 49, of Deane Place, Harrogate, was due to appear in court on Thursday charged with entering the premises in contravention of the order.
But he did not appear, prompting magistrates at Harrogate to issue a warrant for his arrest.
North Yorkshire Police said this morning:
“The court warrant is still in place and enquiries are ongoing to locate him.”
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Council closes Jennyfields house amid anti-social behaviour concerns
A house in Jennyfields has been closed amid concerns about anti-social behaviour.
Harrogate Magistrates Court granted a closure order for 46 Bramham Drive on Thursday.
The order bans people from entering the property for three months.
Harrogate Borough Council applied for the order under section 80 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
The closure order on the door of the property.
A copy of the order, attached to the door of the property, said the court was satisfied there were either concerns about “disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour on the premises”, the house being used for “serious nuisance to members of the public” or nearby disorder related to the premises.
The document also says “access to the premises is prohibited by all persons” until February 3 except by an authorised council officer and one other named person.
The Stray Ferret has asked the council for further details of why it applied for the order. A spokesman said:
“We applied for the closure order following concerns about drug use and anti-social behaviour.”
In May, the council successfully applied to magistrates for a three-month closure order on a house on Cawthorne Avenue, in the Fairfax area of Harrogate following claims a drug-dependent woman was being exploited by drug dealers.
Last year the council and police also secured the three-month closure of two homes on Avenue Grove in Starbeck.
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Police and council bid to close two Starbeck houses over crime
Police and council officers are attempting to close two more properties let by landlord John Willis.
North Yorkshire Police and Harrogate Borough Council have jointly applied to Leeds Magistrates Court for closure orders on 19 and 31 Avenue Grove, Starbeck.
The two organisations can apply to courts for closure orders if they have concerns about antisocial behaviour and criminal behaviour on premises.
The same authorities successfully applied for a three-month closure order on 38 Mayfield Grove, Harrogate, in March. This order expired last month.
All three properties are let by Mr Willis.
A joint statement today by the two authorities said:
“Following concerns about crime, drug use and anti-social behaviour at two multi-occupancy addresses – 19 and 31 Avenue Grove – Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire Police have applied for closure orders.
“Under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, a closure order prohibits access to a property for a specified period. Breach of an order is a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment and/or a fine.”
The application was due to be heard on Wednesday but the hearing was adjourned until July 14.
Until this date the two properties have been served with closure notices, which prohibit visitors.
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Dean Richardson, head of safer communities at Harrogate Borough Council, said:
“It is imperative that residents across the Harrogate district feel safe in their homes and community.
“If landlords fail to manage their properties properly, and there is sufficient evidence to support any reports, we will work with the police and partner agencies to explore all legislative options available and act accordingly.”
Inspector Nicola Colbourne of North Yorkshire Police said:
“This action once again demonstrates our commitment to ensuring Harrogate remains one of the safest towns to live in.
“By listening to residents and working with partners like Harrogate Borough Council, we can address concerns head-on while offering the appropriate support to any vulnerable people we encounter.”
Last month Constable Kelvin Troughton, of North Yorkshire Police, told the Stray Ferret there had been a “reduction of incidents” at 38 Mayfield Grove since the closure order was served.