A further closure order has been issued on the former Debenham’s building in the city centre to put an immediate stop to anti-social behaviour problems.
Anyone who breaks into the former building will be committing a serious offence and are likely to face prosecution under the order, say police.
The former shopping site has been plagued by anti-social behaviour with young people breaking into the building and accessing the roof.
Nottingham City Council, working alongside Nottinghamshire Police, have ensured strong measures are put in place to ensure no one can access the building.
These also include shutting off the alley gate for Norfolk Place, which has been a major route into the site for trespassers.
The closure order is part of Op Reclaim, a partnership approach to tackling the serious issues affecting the city centre including youth ASB.
Closure Orders are one of the tools available to local authorities and police under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
They are used in cases where there is serious nuisance, disorder or criminal behaviour linked to a property or premises and where action is needed to protect communities.
The order prohibits anyone from accessing the site, and if found to do so, they will be faced with prosecution, which can include a significant fine.
Chief Inspector Kylie Davies said:
“This is a great example of partnership working to ensure that we stamp out anti-social behaviour in the city centre and protect our vacant buildings from criminal damage and other unlawful activity.
“We are consistently called to the Debenhams site due to children and young people entering the site, climbing on the roof and putting themselves and the public at risk.
“This further closure order means that we have greater powers to deal with those who attempt to enter the premises, and we will not hesitate to use its full power.”
Group Manager for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service Richard Leighton said:
“Derelict buildings like this pose a significant fire risk. They often contain combustible materials, have unstable structures, and lack basic fire safety measures.
“One small ignition can escalate rapidly, putting members of our community at risk. These sites are not safe to enter, and we strongly urge people, alongside our partners, to stay away.”
Nottingham City Council has also successfully applied for another closure order on a property at Manston Mews in Radford.
This follows repeated reports of anti-social behaviour, including drug use, which has had a deep impact on residents and the wider community.
Councillor Matt Shannon, Executive Member for Community Protection, Neighbourhoods and Equalities, said:
“People deserve to feel safe in their communities and free from the fear and distress that persistent anti-social behaviour can cause. We will not hesitate to take strong action where it is needed to protect the local community.
“These Closure Orders demonstrate the serious action Nottingham City Council and our partners are taking to tackle persistent nuisance, disorder and anti-social behaviour.
“Our Anti-Social Behaviour Team has worked closely with Nottinghamshire Police and partners to gather evidence and secure this result through the courts following significant concerns raised by residents and local communities. Closure Orders are not used lightly, but we will use every available power to protect Nottingham.”
