A tenant who was making his neighbours' lives a misery by turning his home into a hangout for local drug dealers and addicts has been banned from entering his home thanks to action taken by Thurrock Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team.

Mark Palmer, 45, cannot enter or use his home in Copperbeach Road, Grays, after Basildon Magistrates granted Thurrock Council a closure order on the property at a hearing on Thursday 1 November.

Anti-social behaviour officers worked with members of the local community to gather the evidence and witness statements required to get the closure order and remove Palmer from the house he was renting from Thurrock Council.

Cllr Barry Johnson, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “This action shows that we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour by our tenants and will take the action necessary to stop them from ruining the lives of their neighbours through their inconsiderate and unlawful activities.

“Our anti-social behaviour team has worked with the local community to get this inconsiderate tenant out. This is the fourth tenant we have evicted this year, taken legal action against a further eight and sent hundreds of warning letters.”

Cllr Rob Gledhill, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: “We are here to support the vast majority of our tenants who are decent people who just want to enjoy their homes in peace. When we receive complaints such as this we work with those affected to deal with the issue and we have no qualms about removing tenants from their homes if that’s what it takes.

“We will use all the powers at our disposal to remove troublemakers whose thoughtless actions can ruin their neighbours’ lives and blight whole communities.”

To report anti-social behaviour by Thurrock Council tenants email asb@thurrock.gov.uk or call the council on 01375 652 652.

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