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22
Jun 2021
Mayfield Grove: house at centre of crime concerns allowed to re-open
A house at the centre of crime concerns on Harrogate's Mayfield Grove is to be allowed to reopen.
North Yorkshire Police and Harrogate Borough Council issued a three-month closure order on 38 Mayfield Grove in March.
The two organisations can apply to a court for a closure order if they have concerns about antisocial behaviour and criminal behaviour on premises.
At a community engagement session on Mayfield Grove last week, police and council officers revealed they do not intend to bid to extend the closure order, which expired yesterday.
Constable Kelvin Troughton, of North Yorkshire Police, told the Stray Ferret:
John Willis, the landlord, has divided 38 Mayfield Grove into bedsits. Constable Troughton said Mr Willis served eviction notices on all of the tenants after the closure order was issued.
He added:
Helen Richardson, community safety officer at Harrogate Borough Council, said:
Ms Richardson added prohibition orders had been served on two of the bedsits and the council was working with Harrogate Homeless Project to address concerns.
Julia Stack, community safety and CCTV manager at the council, said its private sector housing team had inspected 38 Mayfield Grove:
A closure order was served on the same property in 2005, when it was dubbed the House from Hell by neighbours.
Read more:
- Mayfield Grove summit to be held on Tuesday
- Two men flee after crashing car on Harrogate's Mayfield Grove
Residents on Mayfield Grove and nearby streets, including Mayfield Terrace, Strawberry Dale, Nydd Vale Road and Nydd Vale Terrace attended last week's outdoor drop-in session.
Many had concerns not only about individual properties but also about crime in general in the area, with some saying they knew exactly who was responsible and where criminal activity took place yet nothing was done.
One woman told the Stray Ferret she was unable to sell her home because of the area's reputation.
Mr Stack said the council was considering temporarily attaching a CCTV camera to a street light in the area as part of measures to tackle crime.
The Stray Ferret has attempted to contact Mr Willis for comment but has not received a response.
A man who lived in 38 Mayfield Grove died in March and another man has been charged with murder.
Do you live in the Mayfield Grove area and have concerns about crime? Email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk
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