A SOLIHULL property has been served a Closure Order by Solihull Community Housing (SCH) after drug-related paraphernalia was found at the address.
Ian Roberts, aged 25, failed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on January 14 having been served with a Closure Notice for 26 Merton House, Crabtree Drive, Fordbridge.
SCH applied for the Order after West Midlands Police found drug related paraphernalia at the address during a search on December 23.
The Closure Order, obtained under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, means entry into the address by anyone is prohibited for the next three months, during which time SCH will apply for possession of the premises.
There was strong evidence connecting the finds at Ian Roberts’ property with similar drug-related discoveries at his brother Jake Herbert’s flat at Mansfield House in Chelmsley Wood, which was searched by police on the same day.
A Closure Order was also obtained on January 5 for the Mansfield House property, lasting for a period of 3 months.
Welcoming the move, Coun Karen Grinsell, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities & Partnerships, said: “We do not tolerate any criminal drug related activities and are continuing to clamp down on offenders in Solihull.
“I am pleased to see the Council working in partnership with SCH and West Midlands Police to protect the local community and ensure Solihull remains a safe, pleasant place to live.”
Fiona Hughes, Chief of Operations at SCH, added: “We work very closely alongside the Police to tackle any drug related issues on our estates.
“Anyone convicted of any drug related offences will clearly be in breach of their tenancy and are therefore likely to lose their home.”
