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Jul 2021

Last Updated: 16/07/2021

Crime

Police tell of 'extensive difficulties' at two Starbeck homes

by John Plummer

| 15 Jul, 2021

A court has issued a partial closure order on 19 and 31 Avenue Grove, Starbeck. North Yorkshire Police said there had been a 'very considerable number of complaints from residents' and drugs had been found on the premises.

31 Avenue Grove closure notice

Police told a court yesterday there had been "extensive difficulties" at two homes in Starbeck due to drugs and anti-social behaviour.

North Yorkshire Police and Harrogate Borough Council jointly applied to Leeds Magistrates Court for closure orders on 19 and 31 Avenue Grove, Starbeck.

The court granted three-month partial closure orders on the properties, let by landlord John Willis, which means only Mr Willis and one person at each property can enter the premises until midnight on October 12.

Mr Willis was in court for the hearing.

Simon Mallett, a barrister acting for North Yorkshire Police, told the court there had been "a considerable amount of disorder in Avenue Grove" and drugs had been found in the two properties.

He added:

"There have been extensive difficulties arising from people in the properties or visiting the properties.

"We have received a very considerable number of complaints from residents about anti-social behaviour and drug use emanating from both properties."

The court heard that all the tenants had left the properties except the two men allowed to stay.

Police and council bid to close two Starbeck houses over crime

Mayfield Grove: house at centre of crime concerns allowed to re-open

Julia Stack, community safety and CCTV manager at Harrogate Borough Council, said in a statement afterwards:

"This outcome should act as a reminder that we will not tolerate this type of anti-social behaviour.

"I want to reassure local residents that we will continue to monitor the situation and take further action if necessary.

Inspector Nicola Colbourne of North Yorkshire Police said in a statement afterwards:

"This action once again demonstrates our commitment to ensuring Harrogate remains one of the safest towns to live in."

North Yorkshire Police and Harrogate Borough Council successfully applied for a three-month closure order on 38 Mayfield Grove, Harrogate, another property let by Mr Willis, in March. This order expired last month.

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Police tell of 'extensive difficulties' at two Starbeck homes

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