Police close Tang Hall shop after officers swoop in York

The store, named as 4th Avenue Store, in Fourth Avenue, has been closed after an eyewitness described a heavy police presence in the area of Tang Hall on Wednesday afternoon (September 23).

It is understood that the activity in Tang Hall came as part of a county-wide operation by North Yorkshire Police.

Details of the operation are yet to be confirmed. North Yorkshire Police has been approached for comment.

A closure notice posted on shutters at 4th Avenue Store says a closure notice is being sought “due to nuisance or disorder associated with this premises”.

It states that from 3.15pm on Wednesday until Tuesday, September 29, “only the owner or persons who are habitually resident at the premises may enter the premises”.

“Anyone who enters the premises now who is not the owner or habitual resident commits an offence and may be arrested,” the notice says.

The closure notice will be heard at York Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and if the order is granted, the premises will be completely sealed and there will be no access. The occupier “will need to find alternate accommodation”, the notice says.

Numerous police officers and a police van were in Fourth Avenue throughout Wednesday with onlookers watching the scene.

An eyewitness described police “descending” on the area at about 12pm.

“There are police cars all over the area – on Seventh Avenue, the alley behind Fourth Avenue,” they said. “I’ve heard there’s lots of police activity in town as well. There must be something big.”

Children from nearby Tang Hall Primary School were steered away from where police officers and vans were in Fourth Avenue.

An elderly shopper stopped in surprise when she saw all the officers but said the sight was not uncommon in recent times.

A car is towed away in Tang Hall on Wednesday (September 23) (Image: Newsquest)

Numerous cars were parked up on the sides of the road and on grass verges with small groups of onlookers gathered.

At least one vehicle that was parked in Fourth Avenue close to the junction with Melrosegate was towed away.

The car had been the focus of attention involving numerous officers and a sniffer dog earlier today. It is not yet known what the reason was for the car to be taken away.