A problem property at the centre of drug dealing and other crime on a Middlesbrough estate has been shut down.
The bad behaviour associated with the home on Dunsley Close has caused misery for those living in Berwick Hills in recent months.
But after hard work from the Council's East Neighbourhood team - with the support of Cleveland Police and housing provider Thirteen - a three-month closure order has now been secured which will see the property emptied and boarded up.
Residents living nearby had made regular complaints about daily drug dealing and antisocial behaviour at the property and have had to endure men in balaclavas riding off-road motorbikes to collect and drop off drugs at all hours of the day.
Cleveland Police previously found a stolen scooter inside the property when officers raided the house in October - and also seized class A drugs, cannabis, a number of knives, homemade crack pipes. A deceased dog was also discovered inside.
But after that raid, the problems intensified until the closure order was granted by Teesside Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, December 17.
The property is owned by Thirteen and when it was shut down on Thursday, the tenancy agreement with the tenant was terminated and they will not be returning.
The three councillors in the Berwick Hills and Pallister ward have welcomed the closure and paid tribute to the hard work of staff in East Middlesbrough - especially Middlesbrough Council's neighbourhood safety officer in the area, and Thirteen's anti-social behaviour resolution lead officer.
Cllr Donna Jones paid tribute to the "absolutely amazing work", while Cllr Julia Cooke thanked all staff involved.
Cllr Ian Blades said the result would ensure "residents have a lot more Christmas cheer this year".
Middlesbrough Council's Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Cllr Janet Thompson, said: "This is a fantastic result, and I would like to echo our ward councillors and residents in Berwick Hills when I pass on my thanks to officers from the council, police and Thirteen for their hard work in getting this property closed down.
"It shows the importance of partnership working to delivering for residents in our communities.
"People living nearby shouldn't have to put up with the sort of behaviour they've seen at this house - it simply cannot and will not be tolerated."
Acting Chief Inspector Chris Hartshorne of Cleveland Police said: “Any behaviour which causes misery for law-abiding citizens in our communities will not be tolerated.
“I would continue to urge anyone who is suffering from issues like this to get in touch with us, so that we can work with our partners to take action and remove those who act in this manner.”
Thirteen’s anti-social behaviour resolution lead Luke Metcalfe said: "Our priority has always been and will continue to be ensuring that our customers feel safe in their home and within the community where they live.
“We will not tolerate behaviour like this, where our homes are being used for crime and anti-social behaviour, as we see the devastating impact that this can have on those who live close by.
“We are pleased the closure order has been granted for one of Thirteen’s homes, and we believe this is a step forward to restoring peace within this community.
“No-one should ever have to live in fear in their own home, and we hope that the residents living nearby feel relieved and reassured that we have taken action.
“We’ll remain committed to working in partnership with Middlesbrough Council and Cleveland Police to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime because people have a right to feel safe where they live.”