A ban has been put in place stopping anyone from entering a house used as a drug-dealing base.

After weeks of nuisance and disorder, Thanet council and police have obtained a premises closure order on the 'problem property' in Addington Street, Margate.

An increased number of reports of issues had been made recently about the house that had become known for significant anti-social behaviour issues, and a number of warnings issued were ignored.

The order prevents anyone - including the tenant - from going into the house, which has been physically secured by changing and replacing door and window locks.

It follows an earlier order which was granted in May, giving police powers of arrest if anyone other than the tenant was present inside.

Inspector Lara Connor from Thanet Community Safety Unit said: "The conditions of the premises closure order with exemptions granted in May allowed only the tenant to remain in his flat and prevent anyone else from being there to reduce criminal activity.

"But within a fortnight our officers received calls of concern from residents regarding loud music, anti-social behaviour and drug-related activity. "Visits to the property by police led to the arrests of unauthorised people who were found there on three separate occasions over three months.

"In total five people were arrested for breaching the order, and three of those were also arrested for drugs offences as well. The occupant was also served with a Community Protection Notice warning him over his continued anti-social behaviour.

"Good security measures were in place at the flat so any visitors should have been refused entry to the property.

"Unfortunately the occupant showed a lack of cooperation with the closure order, and little consideration for surrounding residents, so we are pleased that the district judge at Margate Magistrates’ Court granted a full closure order on Thursday, August 23.

"We know how detrimental persistent anti-social behaviour can be for a community and we will take action against those who are breaking the law and in this case shown to repeatedly flout the terms of a court order."

The measure was taken in response to regular and persistent anti-social behaviour taking place at the address by people believed to be ‘cuckooing’ the property.

Cuckooing is a term used to define behaviour similar to that of the bird, whereby someone takes over another person’s property without their consent, often using it as a base for drug dealing.

Cllr Lesley Game, cabinet member for housing and community safety at TDC said: "Thanet District Council does not tolerate unacceptable behaviour which exploits vulnerable people, and makes others nearby feel unsafe.

"We take this type of criminal activity extremely seriously, and will not allow one property to disrupt others.

"We will always work with our partners to take necessary action and continue to monitor how successful this action has been to ensure the best outcome for the rest of the community in the long term.”

The court order, granted by Margate Magistrates Court, was for a full closure of the property from 23 August to 22 November 2018.