Neighbours who bore the brunt of anti-social behaviour for years have spoken out after the residents responsible were finally kicked out.

Ceri Pons of Constitution Hill, Snodland, cannot enter her home for three months after it was sealed off by police.

Kent Police applied for a closure order at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court after neighbours complained of drug use and constant noise at the home, as well as dealing of Class A drugs and begging outside a local shop.

Officers have ensured the privately-owned property was vacated by its residents and secured it against any unauthorised entry.

The property was mainly occupied by Ms Pons and a couple, all aged in their 30s. Ms Pons has been provided with emergency accommodation.

One long-standing neighbour who has lived in the road for 10 years, said people would come and go at all times.

The resident said: “People would often sit in a car outside my house and recently I also had the woman sitting on my step at about 2.30am - they were all chatting and being loud. It’s a pain when you’re trying to sleep.”

She added: “I used to see her walking up and down the street, I think she was looking for dog ends."

Residents estimate Ms Pons has lived in the property for around two years and believe the home is owned by a relative.

“Before her, a man lived there with his children and they were no trouble at all and none of the other neighbours cause problems,” she added.

“The trouble’s been worse during lockdown but it’s been going on the whole time she’s been here.

“It’s good they’re gone for now but as soon as they come back, I think it will be the same.”

Another neighbour said a fire about a week ago at the property is also believed to have caused a lot of internal damage.

Speaking of the occupants, she said: “We saw a fire engine arrive one day - you couldn’t see much from the outside but when we spoke to the people who own the shop which is partly joined to the house, they said there was quite a lot of internal damage to the building.”

She added: "I never really saw that much of them but I quite often saw the woman wander down the road and rummage in the bins.

"People would park up at the end of the road and we’d see drug deals.”

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