Residents living in an around St Ann’s in Barking can now breathe a sigh of relief as after months of complaints about a property which has blighted their lives for ages, the council has been able to secure a closure order.

The property had been linked to a number of complaints about anti-social behaviour including young people frequenting the address and holding parties all night.

Council officers working closely with the police worked tirelessly to secure this result and in court the Magistrate agreed with the evidence presented by officers and granted a closing order on the property. 

Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: “A council tenancy comes with responsibilities; we expect people who are given these properties to not only look after them, but importantly not breach the terms of their tenancy through anti-social behaviour.

“I would like to commend the officers for their hard work and glad to know that this property will now become a home for a deserving resident on the housing waiting list.”

The council has since taken possession of the Barking property.