Problem property closed down by the council

The closure order of the flat in Newbold excludes any person from the premises for three months

Rochdale Borough Council has obtained its first premises closure order for a property where the tenant had been the target of ‘cuckooing’.

Cuckooing is when a person takes over another person’s property without their consent, often to use as a base for drug dealing and other criminal activity.

The closure order of the flat in Newbold excludes any person from the premises for three months and makes it an offence for anyone to re-enter the address.

Premises closure orders are designed to tackle serious and persistent forms of antisocial behaviour where residents are intimidated or criminal activities are taking place. Orders allow properties to be closed completely or partially for three months and are only used as a last resort.

The Partnership Enforcement Team (PET) has been dealing with the privately let property for the past 12 months which has been a significant drain on local services, including numerous police call outs and community safety team visits.

Councillor Daalat Ali, cabinet member for planning, development and housing, said: “We are very pleased to have obtained this order and to bring an end to the problems with this property.

“It is our priority to continue to work in partnership with the police to ensure that residents are safe and to shut down activity that contributes towards organised crime in the borough.”

This closure order is part of disruption activity carried out by the PET working in conjunction with GMP to tackle drug dealing and associated crimes. Operation Gallant saw 18 people arrested in a recent sting operation to seize cash, drugs and cars.

The occupiers had committed serious and persistent antisocial behaviour affecting local residents, including drug dealing and violence.

The council will now work with the landlord to improve the property standards, bring the property back into use and let it to a suitable tenant after three months.