POLICE have used new powers to closed down two houses and evicted the occupants to tackle anti-social behaviour and drug use.

Both addresses, on St Peters Road in Parkfield, Stockton, have now been closed for three months thanks to the information provided by the local community.

Officers executed drugs warrants at the properties under the Misuse of Drugs Act and used this information to apply for the closures at Teesside Magistrates Court on Monday (October 27).

The closures are believed to be some of the first carried out by North East forces under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime & Policing Act 2014, which began on Monday, October 20.

Acting Sergeant Ian Mitchell, from Stockton town centre neighbourhood policing team, said: “We have worked closely with the local community, have listened to their concerns and have acted upon them.

“We will continue to use this new legislation which has come into force to keep members of the public safe and to rid our streets of the anti-social behaviour and drugs that can blight people’s lives.

“A great amount of effort has been put in by the local neighbourhood policing team in order to secure these orders at court. We would also encourage members of the community to continue to come to us with their concerns.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact their local neighbourhood team on the non-emergency number 101.