Neighbours of a crack house in East Malling told of their years of intimidation and fear before magistrates agreed to an immediate closure order on the property.

At Maidstone Magistrates Court on Friday, the Kent Police force solicitor Gareth Davies, on behalf of the Chief Constable of Kent, Michael Fuller, applied for the order on the house in Carnation Crescent. The previous day it had been raided by police with sniffer dogs.

PC Lee Oakley, a drugs liaison officer, said strong traces of cocaine and heroin had been found on TV switches, window sills and a credit card, used to cut heroin. A spoon with traces of heroin had been found behind a bath panel.

Neighbours gave evidence of the years of fear and intimidation from the people living and coming and going from the house at all times of the day and night. They also had to endure shouting, swearing and loud music.

One man said how the tyres of his caravan had been shot with an air rifle and his wife lived in fear of going out.

Tonbridge and Malling borough councillor Liz Simpson who had been helping the neighbours told magistrates those who had given evidence were "very brave" to have come forward to give evidence.

She said: "They are good, decent people who should not have to tolerate this sort of behaviour."

The crack house closure order, under the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003, was made for three months during which time no one can enter the Russet Homes housing association property which will be boarded up.