A WORLE home which doubled up as a crack house and blighted the lives of neighbours has been shut down by police.

The property in Hogarth Walk had been used for drug use, and police were granted an order allowing them to board the house up on Tuesday.

The order, approved by magistrates at North Somerset Courthouse on the same day, is the first of its kind to be granted in Worle and came after neighbours had complained to police about suspected drug use, needles in their gardens and people visiting the home day and night.

Some of the visitors were abusive to neighbours, and police raided the home in July.

Having found evidence of drugs misuse, they began to make a case against tenants, who will now not be able to return to their home for three months.

Sergeant Sharon Bennett said: “Crack house closures are really effective in breaking the cycle of drug misuse at a property.

“The residents lose the right to enter their homes for three months but must still pay the rent and aren’t eligible to be re-homed as the property is still officially theirs. This makes a lot of people think twice before they continue with their behaviour when they are eventually allowed to return.”

She continued: “We’re really grateful to the community of Worle for providing us with the information to enable us to close this crack house.

“We hope that this action will give others the confidence to come forward and report it if they’re suffering with crime and anti-social behaviour in their area.”

If you have a problem with drugs or anti-social behaviour in your area you can contact the police on the 101 number.