RESIDENTS living near a suspected drug den can breathe a sigh of relief after it was forced to shut by the courts.

People living next to the council flat in Warders Court, Chilworth Grove, in Gosport, suffered constant noise 24 hours a day with suspected addicts and dealers visiting endlessly.

Neighbours had asked to move as they were threatened and scared to speak out in case of reprisals.

Now magistrates have ordered the block shut for three months.

The borough council said the "neighbours' physical and mental health had been affected".

Officers had been called repeatedly to the address and found drug paraphernalia, a burner phone and large kitchen knife next to a bed.

READ MORE: Two men jailed after Dr Peng Wang was beaten in racist attack in Southampton

Sgt Alison Zachs, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: "Drugs supply makes lives of local residents an absolute misery.

"Not only does it bring people from outside of the area to commit crime, but it also attracts other types of crime to the community, as well as anti-social behaviour which has a negative impact on people living nearby.

"Officers conducted a warrant at this address back in March, and in the wake of this we have been working closely with our Gosport Borough Council partners to take further action.

"I am pleased that this closure order has now been granted. I hope this not only reassures people in Gosport about how seriously we take the supply of drugs in our neighbourhoods, but also provides some understanding of what additional avenues we can explore, as a partnership, to obstruct suppliers and make it difficult for them to operate.

"Please continue to report information about drugs supply to police by calling 101, so we can develop a picture of what is happening, who is involved, and where.

"Sometimes you may not see an immediate police response, but that’s because we need to build an evidential picture of the issues and the areas that need targeting. Every single piece of information you supply to us will be assessed and where possible, we will work closely with our partners to action it."

A council spokesperson said: "We took this action on behalf of other residents of the block and neighbouring area, who have endured so much disruption and stress."

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News