Police continue crack down on anti-social behaviour in Milton Keynes

Thames Valley Police has been carrying out a number of operations in and around Granby Court, Bletchley, to tackle drug offences and anti-social behaviour.

A police CCTV van was in the area of Melrose Avenue shops on a reassurance operation until Sunday (December 11).

The mobile police station has also been present at Granby Court and Melrose Avenue last week, while high visibility patrols are continuing, including a number of joint visits with anti-social behaviour team at Milton Keynes Council.

This activity follows the arrests of four men last month who were arrested on suspicion of drug offences.

In an unrelated incident, a further man was arrested and charged with one count of theft from a shop.

Three council properties in the area were also subject to successful closure orders on December 2, following anti-social behaviour issues in recent months.

Sargent Mark Swallow, said: “Residents will continue see police officers, staff and vehicles in the area of Granby Court and Melrose Avenue as we maintain heightened patrols.

Police and residents need to work together to ensure that our communities are safe, so I would urge anyone with information about offences such as drug dealing or anti-social behaviour to contact police. The easiest way to contact us is by calling 101 or visiting your nearest police station.

“If residents have information, concerns or questions for the police then please feel free to speak to one of your local officers, or if you do not feel comfortable speaking directly to the police you can always contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

On December 2, Milton Keynes Council and Thames Valley Police successfully obtained three closure orders against council properties, following months of problems at flats in Granby Court and Serpentine Court, including noise nuisance, excessive numbers of visitors, drug related activity, and intimidation.

Under the closure orders, issued by city magistrates on the same day, only one tenant will be allowed to stay - but under close supervision - and no visitors will be allowed to access the address.

The other two properties will be closed and secured, preventing access for the tenants and any visitors for a period of three months.

Councillor Nigel Long, said: “We hope that the closure of these properties will send a powerful message to the community that we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour.

“Unfortunately many victims were too afraid to come forward as witnesses. However we would like to thank those that bravely took a stand against anti-social behaviour as their statements were vital in securing these orders.”

Anyone who has any information about crime, or who would like to talk to a local neighbourhood policing team, can call police on 101.