The tenant of a Folkestone 'drug den', which was used for county lines activity, has been ordered to leave.

Neighbours complained about illegal drug use and associated activities at the sheltered housing flat in Foord Road.

This included being threatened with violence, and demands for money being made by visitors coming and going at all hours of the day and night - and during lockdown.

It is believed that the drug-related behaviour was linked to ‘county lines’ activity when criminal networks use local people, including children, to distribute drugs.

Kent Police had previously executed warrants at the flat.

But the 'intolerable' behaviour came to an end when police, East Kent Housing and Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) came together as part of the Folkestone and Hythe Community Safety Partnership to gather evidence about the activities.

They used it to apply successfully for a closure order on the flat.

The 61-year-old tenant who received the closure was required to leave his property immediately and is now living outside the district.

Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee, FHDC cabinet member for communities, said: "I hope that the residents will breathe a huge sigh of relief that the behaviour which was blighting their lives has come to an end.

"It was intolerable for them and even more so because it carried on despite the lockdown restrictions imposed due to Covid-19.

"Numerous attempts were made by staff of the agencies to persuade this tenant to mend his ways, but to no avail.

"The closure order is a last resort and it is down to the effective joint working of all the agencies involved that this situation has been brought it to a successful conclusion.”

Insp Andy Brittenden, of Folkestone's community safety unit, said: "Kent Police will use every tactic open to us to shut down drug dealing networks and tackle the associated criminality and anti-social behaviour they cause.

"Supporting partners in closing down properties like this one is just one way in which we are working to improve the quality of life for local residents and I am pleased with the result in this case.

"We are grateful for the support shown by both residents and our partner agencies in this case and I urge the community to continue to report incidents to us so that we can take action."

An East Kent Housing spokesman said: "The tenants of this sheltered scheme are relieved that this has been brought to a close.

"They now feel safe when leaving and returning to their homes and do not have to worry about people lurking around the site."

Anti-social behaviour can be reported to Kent Police kent.police.uk/ro/report/asb/af/antisocial-behaviour/

If someone is in immediate danger and it needs to be reported straight away, call 999.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone