A woman has been banned from entering the block of council flats she lives in as neighbours’ lives have been made a misery by “severe” anti-social behaviour.

Canterbury City Council has been forced to secure a court order preventing the tenant, who is in her 20s, from entering the building in Ridley Close, Herne.

The restrictions - which also apply to the woman’s friends and associates - were enforced by Margate magistrates and will be in place for three months.

The court was told neighbours had endured repeated issues with noise, threats of violence, and visitors coming and going throughout the day and night.

Council officers, who say they only seek such closure orders “in the most extreme of circumstances”, are now attempting to secure possession of the woman’s home - at number 14 Ridley Close - to permanently prevent her returning.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, told KentOnline: "There were lots of strange comings and goings at all hours, with packages and bags being exchanged through the windows of the property.

"It all seemed very odd.”

The city council’s cabinet member for housing, Cllr Joe Howes, said an extensive investigation had taken place before the court order was sought.

“This has been a difficult case,” he said.

“Securing a closure order via the courts is a mammoth task requiring extensive and detailed evidence, and a number of council officers have worked incredibly hard to get this over the line. I am very grateful to them.

“We also thank the residents who have worked with us as we went about gathering the evidence. Without them, it would have been so much harder to put the case together. We hope this is now an end to the matter and a return to normality for them.

“The aim of publicising the case is to demonstrate that behaviour like this will not be tolerated and, working with partner organisations such as Kent Police, we will pursue action if it does occur, all the way through to court action and the loss of your home if necessary.”