Meanwood noisy neighbours kicked out in landmark council action

Chief Inspector Chris Bowen [left] and Councillor Mark Dobson [right] outside the property

by David Mackie

Residents have been removed from a private house in Meanwood after they repeatedly ignored warnings that they were behaving anti-socially.

The Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team (LASBT) worked with partners including West Yorkshire Police to enforce the Premise Closure Order – the first order of its kind in Leeds.

The order was made after the residents of the house in Holmwood View, Meanwood, repeatedly ignored warnings that they were too loud and their behaviour was too disorderly.

Their antics continued even after they had their television, computer, music stereos and speakers taken away from them.

Councillor Mark Dobson, Leeds City Council’s executive board member with responsibility for Safer Leeds said: “I hope this sends out a very clear message of the action that we and our partners are willing to take against anyone living in any property, be it social or private, who through their anti-social behaviour are making the lives of other residents a misery.

“We don’t want anyone to have to suffer in silence due to anti-social behaviour, and if this is happening to you, your family or a friend, please don’t hesitate in contacting us as soon as possible.”

This is the first Premise Closure Order to be obtained in a case featuring a privately owned residential property in Leeds, as part of new powers contained in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, 2014.

Chief inspector Chris Bowen, who heads neighbourhood policing in north east Leeds, said:  “The behaviour linked to this address was completely unacceptable and was having a really negative impact on the lives of other residents.

“We hope it will serve as a clear warning to others who persist in making peoples’ lives a misery.”

Any residents suffering from excessive and/or intrusive noise problems can get in touch with LASBT in the following ways: To report in the daytime call 0113 222 4402 or out of hours on 0113 3950143 (between 6pm and 3.30am).