Second Moldgreen crime house closed after antisocial behaviour

Jul 3 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Second Moldgreen crime house closed

A group of around 20 people gathered and were harassing one of the witnesses and making threats.

Mr Bell added: “Residents were fearful for their safety.”

Previously magistrates agreed to a closure order on the home of Craig Wallace and Thomas Ashton of 39 Church Street.

Police say the two properties were at the centre of a 150% increase in crimes reported on Church Street so far this year.

The number of offences committed around the two houses had risen by 61%.

Incidents connecting the four defendants and two homes included a large scale disturbance in which a man was hit over his head with a glass bottle.

There were also countless reports of drunken behaviour, verbal and racial abuse focused on the houses

No mitigation was given on behalf of Karl Wood but last week his solicitor, Bob Carr, said he was in support of the closure order application.

Yesterday magistrates agreed to the three month closure order on the property, which means that anybody entering that property without the permission of police is breaking the law.

The action was taken by Kirklees Council and West Yorkshire Police using new powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act to seek closure orders.