A closure order has been secured following complaints of suspected drug use and associated anti-social behaviour at an address.

Hertfordshire Constabulary says it worked with St Albans City and District Council who secured a full closure order at a flat in Cell Barnes Lane, St Albans

A warrant was carried out in May where drug paraphernalia and mobile phones were seized.

St Albans Magistrates’ Court granted a three-month closure order under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 on Thursday, June 25, meaning no-one besides the local authority and emergency services can enter the flat.

Anyone who breaches this order could be arrested, with further action taken against them.

This is the ninth closure order that has been secured in the district, police said.

Abi Simons, from St Albans City and District Council’s Community Safety Unit, said: “We are committed to doing everything in our power to deal with suspected drug use and anti-social behaviour and a closure order is a significant step in protecting our community.”

Simran Chana, from the St Albans Police Community Safety Unit, added: “We were able to prove that suspected drug use and anti-social behaviour was having an adverse impact on neighbouring properties, even though understandably, some residents did not feel able to report the problems they were experiencing.

"No-one should have to put up with this kind of behaviour, especially on their doorstep. Everyone deserves to feel safe and happy in their home, and no one should be subjected to anti-social behaviour. This is the ninth closure order we have secured in the St Albans district in about 16 months and we will continue to use this power under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.”