News Beat
Problem property in Collingwood Court, Sulgrave, Washington, closed
Following complaints from the public, police working alongside council colleagues launched an investigation into activities at the flat in the Sulgrave area of Washington.
The joint Northumbria Police/Sunderland City Council team took action against the occupant of the property, in Collingwood Court.
They were served with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) in a bid to bring a halt to the negative impact their actions were having in the local community.
Following multiple breaches of the CPN, amid reports of more problematic behaviour at the address, police took further action.
An occupant of the address was subsequently arrested, on January 6, and charged with two counts of failing to comply with a CPN.
Teaming up with partners, civil legislation powers were used to prevent any further issues, with a closure order put in place.
Officers returned to the address on Tuesday, January 20, and served the order.
It prevents anyone, other than the occupant, from entering the property for three months.
Anyone accessing the property unlawfully faces the threat of prosecution.
Sergeant Patrick Scott, of the Northumbria force, said: “First of all, I’d like to thank the members of the public who alerted us to this problem property.
“It’s thanks to them that we’ve been able to take action now and prevent any further issues linked to criminality at this address.”
He added: “We’re dedicated to tackling anti-social behaviour and criminality within Sulgrave and the surrounding areas because we see the negative impact it has on the local area.”
Sgt Scott urged people living in the vicinity to continue to work with the force and council community support officers and to report suspicious activity in the area.
He pledged his officers will be there, “ready to take action.”
Councillor Kelly Chequer, Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council, who is also the cabinet member for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities, said: “Our residents deserve to be able to live their lives in peace without having to put up with the kind of anti-social behaviour and criminality we’ve seen at this address.
“I’m delighted that, working with Northumbria Police, we’ve been able to take action to tackle this on behalf of the local community.
“Our community safety hubs were set up to tackle the issues that matter most to our communities.
“It’s great to see the Safer Concord and Sulgrave Community Safety Hub already making a difference in the community it serves.
“I’d also like to thank residents who alerted us to what was going on at the property and to encourage all our residents to report such issues when they come across them so that we can take action on their behalf.”
Read next … more crime stories from The Northern Echo, by clicking here
Members of the public who have information about suspected criminality can contact Northumbria Police by sending a direct message on social media, or by using the ‘live chat’ or ‘report’ form function on the force’s website.
For those unable to contact police by those means, they should call 101.
In an emergency, or if a crime is taking place, the advice is always to call 999.
