POLICE in Harlow have been granted two closure orders on properties in the town being used for criminal activity.

Officers applied successfully for the orders at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Monday, December 1, where outright possession of the properties in Morley Grove and Amherst Lodge was given to Essex Police. The occupants of both properties have also been evicted.

The orders were granted after police provided evidence that at both properties occupants have engaged in disorderly behaviour and criminal behaviour and that this behaviour has resulted in serious nuisance to members of the public.

On November 30, a drugs warrant was executed at the Morley Grove property and give people were arrested. Substances believed to be Class A drugs were seized and those arrested were released on police bail pending further enquiries until February 18, 2015.

Pc Tim Knights said: “Essex Police and our partnership agencies, including Harlow District Council community safety team and environmental health are committed to reducing anti-social behaviour which has a debilitating effect on neighbours and the local neighbourhood.

“Local residents should be reassured that police will continue to work with partner agencies to ensure people enjoy a good quality of life and not have to suffer the problems associated with drug usage and persistent anti-social behaviour.”

The people arrested were a 34-year-old man from Harlow, a 34-year-old woman from Harlow, a 19-year-old man from Harlow, a 30-year-old man from Bishops Stortford and a 19-year-old man from Loughton.