Nightmare neighbours have been turfed out of their Folkestone flat after police applied for a closure notice under new laws.

It is the first time Kent Police has successfully applied for a closure notice to the courts following concerns raised by residents.

Officers from the force's Shepway Community Safety Unit were called to deal with incidents such as drug abuse, disorder and anti-social behaviour in the area at Missenden Court in Clarence Road.

The flat has been boarded up and emptied with a sign on the door informing people it is an offence to enter the property following an application to Folkestone Magistrates' Court.

The order is enforced for three months under new powers were granted to police and local authorities under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

It follows multi-agency work between the police, Shepway District Council and housing association Orbit South since reports were first made in May 2014.

A party-house in Canterbury was the first property in the county to be closed down in March after the city council successfully applied for the closure order to Canterbury Magistrates' Court.

Shepway Inspector Simon Johnson of Kent Police said: "Anti-social behaviour can have a detrimental effect on a community and if these incidents can be linked to an address, the new powers mean we can close that property down.

"Officers responded to concerns that a property in Missenden Court had caused persistent problems to other residents in the area.

"There had been reports of noise, anti-social behaviour, intimidation, and assaults in the area and the address was also being used by people to deal or take drugs

"Through the Community Safety Partnership, we worked closely with agencies to gather a case, and the results of a warrant carried out at the address on April 30 uncovered evidence of drug use at the address as well.

"The results of this closure order should have a beneficial effect for the community and we are grateful for the support received locally and from the partner agencies.

"We are dedicated to ensuring Shepway remains a safe and happy place to live and work in and we will not hesitate to take action on those who challenge that."

Shepway District Council cabinet member for communities and deputy leader of the council, Jenny Hollingsbee, said: "We were pleased to be part of the proactive stance taken by all agencies to tackle the crime and disorder local people have had to endure."

Orbit South area community manager for Kent, Graeme Bosley, added: "We are proud to work in partnership with the Kent Police and Shepway District Council to use the new legislation to send out a clear message that anti-social behaviour on this scale will not be tolerated.

"We work hard to build communities where people feel safe and secure in their homes and will continue to do all we can to address this type of disruptive behaviour."