District Council issues two more Closure Orders on Yorke Drive in action to combat serious anti-social behaviour and alleged drug activity

On Wednesday 16 October, Daimien Temple and Serenna Dury, both on Yorke Drive, were each issued with Closure Orders following complaints about alleged incidents of drug related activities and general anti-social behaviour which had been reported to the Council and the Police. These orders will last for three months and are linked to the previous Closure Orders made in September.

Last month, Melia Wilshire of Yorke Drive and Cliff Bunch Snr and Mandy Bunch on Strawberry Hall Lane, were also each issued with Closure Orders at their home addresses following similar complaints from residents and Police reports.

Although the numerous incidents at these properties were sufficient to distress nearby residents, the close proximity of each household meant that the broader community was also seriously and negatively affected. The District Council could not tolerate this behaviour and legal action had to be taken to safeguard the community.

Officers from the District Council’s Public Protection and Housing teams, with support from the Police Neighbourhoods team, collaborated to obtain the Closure Orders to safeguard the safety and wellbeing of the affected residents. 

A Closure Order is designed to provide immediate relief for the community from ASB being committed from a property, and it is an offence to enter or remain on premises in contravention of a Closure Notice or Closure Order without reasonable excuse, punishable by a fine or imprisonment or both.

Councillor Paul Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Community Relations at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We do not tolerate anti-social behaviour like this, and the safety of nearby residents is our top priority. Because of these Closure Orders, it means we can now take action if any of these individuals breach the orders, and we can help make the community a safer place.

“We want to do what’s best for our residents in and around Yorke Drive which is why we will not stand by and allow selfish individuals to flout the law and cause harm or distress to the local community there. This should send a message to offenders that we will not allow this unacceptable behaviour to go unpunished, and we will take action against you.

“We are committed to clamping down on ASB and criminal behaviour and we will continue our successful partnership working with the Police to ensure our reach is wide and our resources are strengthened.

“I also urge anyone who witnesses or experiences ASB to report it to Nottinghamshire Police or the District Council, so that we can take appropriate action."

Councillor Lee Brazier, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Residents on Yorke Drive and throughout the district have the right to live in safe and secure environments, without being subjected to the troubling behaviours displayed by these offenders.

“We are committed to ensuring such actions do not go unpunished. I urge residents to support us by acting as our eyes and ears, reporting any incidents so our teams can investigate. These Closure Orders show that we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and drug related crime in our district, sand we can take action if necessary.”

Inspector Charlotte Ellam, District Commander for Newark and Sherwood, said: “These orders are another step in the collective efforts of the Newark Neighbourhood Policing Team and NSDC in tackling the issue of crime and ASB on Yorke Drive. We are aware of the impact this is having on the local community, and I am really pleased we have been able to use these powers to give us further opportunities to prevent and deter this type of offending.  My team are committed to policing these orders, and we will be taking positive action if they are breached.”

Newark and Sherwood District Council is committed to tackling criminal and anti-social behaviour and other enforcement action has also taken place on the Yorke Drive estate which includes Closure Warnings and Community Protection Warnings.

Anyone who wishes to report ASB can speak to our ASB team, in confidence, about any issues or concerns you may have. To register an ASB complaint contact the District Council or use the online ASB reporting form.

If a crime is in progress or life is in danger, you should dial 999. To report non-urgent anti-social behaviour contact the police on 101.