Solihull Community Housing (SCH) – which runs Solihull Council’s housing service – was granted two Closure Orders by Birmingham Magistrates Court yesterday in response to anti-social behaviour and criminality at properties in Severn Close, Smiths Wood and Keble House, Chelmsley Wood.
Tenant Colin Sutton Dunne, 35, of Severn Close, Smiths Wood, did not attend yesterday’s hearing which was heard in his absence. Following two police warrants at Severn Close on 23 September 2021 and 12 November 2021, a large quantity of cannabis, multiple mobile phones and drug paraphernalia associated with drug use and cultivation were seized. Sutton Dunne admitted that all the seized items belonged to him.
The warrants were issued after SCH and West Midlands Police received numerous reports of anti-social behaviour. These included complaints of: intimidating behaviour, verbal abuse, threatening comments and behaviour, smell of cannabis coming from the property, late night visitors causing a disturbance, suspected drug dealing, noise nuisance caused by repairing motorbikes inside the building, repairing cars in the external communal area and leaving a dog unsupervised and free to roam in communal areas without a lead.
In a separate case, tenant Lewis Davies, 25, of Keble House, Chelmsley Wood, also attended a hearing yesterday and did not contest a Closure Order. Following two police warrants at Keble House on 17 May 2021 and 17 November 2021, several bags of cannabis and white powder were found and seized along with a baton, CS spray, a large knife and other drug paraphernalia.
Both Closure Orders prohibit anyone with the exception of those named on the orders - in these cases the landlord, people working for Solihull Council, SCH or the Emergency Services - from remaining in, returning to, or entering the premises for a period of three months.
Anyone that breaches the order commits an offence and can be arrested. If found guilty of an offence they liable to imprisonment and/or a fine.
Cllr Karen Grinsell, Deputy Leader of Solihull Council and Cabinet Member for Partnerships and Well-being, said:
“I am really pleased that after many months of hard work by SCH officers, Solihull Council’s legal team and West Midlands Police we have been able to bring these cases to court successfully and secure Closure Orders which prohibit these two tenants from living in our properties.
“Our law abiding tenants deserve to live safely in the community without having to put up with criminal and anti-social behaviour in their area. I would urge any tenants who think that criminal and anti-social behaviour is taking place in their area to contact SCH or the Police. You will be listened to, we will treat your complaints confidentially and we may be able to take action as we have been able to with these two tenants.”
To make a complaint about anti-social or criminal behaviour in SCH properties, please contact the dedicated Anti-Social Behaviour Hotline on 0121 717 1500.