Nightmare neighbour’s drinking den shut down

A property in west Leeds has been boarded up and closed after a catalogue of anti-social behaviour resulted in neighbours feeling intimidated.

Mr David Jones, a tenant at 7 Rombalds Terrace in Armley was served with a premise closure order at Leeds Magistrates Court on 4 August 2011 after a successful application by Leeds City Council.

The court heard how Mr Jones had allowed the property to be used by a number of people, sometimes up to ten at a time as a drinking den. Residents in the local area have had to endure constant use of foul language, threats and intimidation.

Many of the incidents at the house were also witness by children who were leaving the local primary school.

Leeds Anti Social Behaviour Team supported by Pudsey NPT, took action on the property following a number of complaints from the residents of Rombalds Terrace.

Councillor Peter Gruen, chair of Safer Leeds, said:

“I would like to commend the local residents who came forward and provided evidence for this case. It can be intimidating to have someone behaving badly living near you, but with their help the council was able to gain

“I would urge anyone else who is suffering in silence to come forward if they have any issues with anti social neighbours and report them.

“This is a good result, and I am pleased that we have been able to provide an immediate stop to the foul behaviour at this house.”

Inspector Mark Bownass, of the West Inner Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

"This is an excellent result for the residents whose quality of life has been badly affected for too long by repeated incidents of anti-social behaviour linked to this property.

“This case again clearly illustrates the sort of action we can take alongside our partners in the council to tackle unacceptable behaviour in our communities.

“Residents have a vital role to play in helping us to do that and we need people to stand up and be counted and give evidence against those responsible.

“We hope this latest action will serve as a clear warning to those who refuse to listen to advice and persist in making peoples’ lives a misery.”

This is the eleventh problem property in the Armley and Bramley area to be shut down following joint action by the police and council in the last three years.

Coupled with a number of anti-social behaviour orders, injunctions and dispersal orders they have had a major impact on crime and anti-social behaviour in the areas.

Notes to editors:
Safer Leeds is a partnership between Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Police, the city’s ALMOs (East North East Homes Leeds, West North West Homes Leeds, Aire Valley Homes and the Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation) and West Yorkshire Fire Service to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Leeds.

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Cat Milburn, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 247 4450
Email: Catherine.milburn@leeds.gov.uk