A TERRACED house in Farnworth will be boarded up and its occupant removed after a court agreed to authorise a closure order following months of anti-social behaviour.

Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court heard how those neighbouring 79 Carlton Street were left “suicidal” after months of problems including drug dealing and violence.

The order was issued to the address on Monday after a successful application from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to the court.

A full closure order was granted and the property will be closed for three months.

Representing GMP, David Kent said Akmal Javaid had been resident at the house throughout the summer months during which time he had allowed people to repeatedly visit in the early hours of the morning with neighbours reporting loud noises and shouting.

It was suspected that drug dealing was taking place at the property with residents saying they could not get to sleep and in one case were “feeling suicidal”.

Various people had been seen climbing in though windows of the house and breaking in with Mr Kent adding that the property was in a state of disrepair and five separate notices had been issued regarding the breaking of Covid-19 regulations during lockdown.

On one occasion neighbours had reported that Mr Javaid had been chased down the street by three men armed with knives.

Despite the local authority and GMP intervening Mr Kent said there was little prospect of Mr Javaid or the owner of the property, Nick Jeffries, taking any action meaning an application for a closure order would be made under section 80 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Neither Mr Javaid or Mr Jeffries were in court to contest the application although Mr Kent said Mr Jeffries had flown into the UK from France the previous day and had said he would now sell the property.

“This isn’t going to stop,” added Mr Kent. “It will continue and there are significant numbers involved. The house should be closed for a three-month period to give respite to the community.”

Presiding justice Geoffrey Homer agreed to the application and the house will be closed until February 8, 2021.

Following the closure order being granted, a Bolton Council spokesman said: “We are committed to tackling antisocial behaviour, working with our partners Greater Manchester Police, and will use all the powers available to protect individuals and communities.”