Two properties on the Yorke Drive estate in Newark have had their closure orders extended after breaching the conditions of their orders.
The District Council, in partnership with Nottinghamshire Police, has extended the closure order on 148 Yorke Drive until 15 April 2025, while 91 Yorke Drive has had a partial closure order extended until 14 April 2025.
A Closure Order is designed to provide immediate relief for the community from antisocial behaviour (ASB) being committed at a property. 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, imprisonment, or both.
The property at 148 Yorke Drive is owned by the District Council, and the decision to extend the order was based on the tenant continuing to be involved in alleged criminal activity observed on the Yorke Drive estate.
It is believed that if the property were reopened, the risk of it being used to facilitate drug use or drug dealing would be high. This measure has been taken to prevent such activities as the District Council and Police continue their enforcement efforts on the estate.
Following two breaches and reports of low-level ASB, the decision to apply for a full closure order on 91 Yorke Drive was submitted. Although ASB in and around the property has reduced, the two breaches were clear. The tenant is now engaging with agencies, and it was therefore agreed to extend the partial closure order for three months.
Access to the garden and property will only be permitted for professionals. While ASB and criminal incidents at or near the property have decreased, this order provides the local community with a further period of respite and acts as a deterrent to crime and ASB in the area.
Councillor Paul Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Community Relations at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said:
“We want to make sure that we act when a Closure Order has been broken, and the extension of these two orders proves that we will take a tough approach.
“We do not tolerate antisocial behaviour like this, and the safety of nearby residents is our top priority.
“We want to do what’s best for our residents in and around Yorke Drive and will continue to monitor these Closure Orders to make sure they are followed. If they are broken again, it risks extending the orders yet again.
“We are committed to clamping down on ASB and criminal behaviour, and we will continue our successful partnership 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 antisocial behaviour and drug-related crime in our district, and we can take action if necessary.”
Inspector Charlotte Ellam, District Commander for Newark and Sherwood, said:
“This should serve as an example to anyone thinking of breaching a Closure Order that – between ourselves and the Council – we will take immediate action in response to this.
“These orders were put in place to give residents in and around the Yorke Drive area some respite, following repeated reports of antisocial behaviour (ASB) at these properties.
“While these types of reports have thankfully dropped somewhat since the original orders were enforced, it’s disappointing to hear people have flouted the rules by accessing the houses.
“We will continue to work closely with the Council to prevent and deter ASB, which we know is an issue that our communities care strongly about.”
