A room within a privately owned house in Easton has been closed following drug-related anti-social behaviour in and around the property. One resident at the home in Brenner Street said she was being cuckooed by drug dealers who visited “at all times of the day and night”.
Now she has been evicted from her home and her room has been sealed up. She said she was being cuckooed by drug dealers, meaning they had taken over her home for their criminal activities.
An Avon and Somerset Police investigation led to the seizure of suspected class A drugs, cash and a machete from the room in August. Police said the room has now been closed for three months and anyone who breaches the order faces arrest.
Drugs were used and dealt nearby and there was increased arguing and fighting in the street as a result of ongoing criminal activity. A resident, who was not involved in the issues, lived in constant fear of the visitors.
Police said: “Reported problems included multiple people visiting the address at all times of day and night and the open use and dealing of drugs nearby. There was increased arguing and fighting in the street and drug litter. The other resident, who was not involved in the issues, reported being in fear of the visitors.
“The woman occupant said she was being cuckooed by drug dealers and was offered support. She signed a community protection warning agreeing to conditions including not having more than one other person in her room and not engaging or encouraging others to engage in any abusive, threatening or intimidating behaviour.”
However, this was breached and she then signed a community protection notice with the same conditions. Again the anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood teams were able to evidence breaches of the conditions, enabling them to apply for the partial closure order.
Magistrates granted the partial closure on Wednesday, November 13. It means only the other resident, the landlord or those providing services can enter the house, and the woman’s room has been sealed.
Anti-Social Behaviour co-ordinator Tina McIvor said: “We know the behaviour of visitors to this address left people feeling afraid in their own homes. We’re grateful to everyone whose evidence helped us to secure this order from the court.
“This process can take time, because we must first offer those involved in ASB the chance to take up help and support to change their behaviour, and then go through a number of stages before taking this final serious step.”