A closure order has this week been slapped on a housing association flat in the city centre after complaints about drug-related crime and anti-social behaviour stretching back almost nine years.
Officers outside the property on Abbey Green in Bath | Photo © Avon & Somerset Police
A closure notice was served to the tenant of the Curo property at Abbey Green on Monday 30th June, which was extended until Monday 14th July when a hearing took place at Bath Magistrates’ Court.
The granting of the three-month closure order has been welcomed by businesses at Abbey Green, which is a tourist hotspot, but they say they are “very disappointed” it’s taken so long to resolve the “wholly unacceptable behaviour”.
Reported issues include:
- Multiple public order offences, involving physical altercations inside and outside the property and frequent shouting and swearing.
- Drug-related activities, including substance use and dealing suspected within the flat, along with regular cannabis smoking.
- A high turnover of visitors, including known drug users.
- Wanted people seeking refuge within the premises, requiring police intervention.
- Criminal damage, such as people forcefully kicking the entrance door when unable to gain access.
- Thefts from local shops, with stolen goods being handled from the flat.
On 23rd April, police responded to a suspected firearms incident linked to the flat. The disturbance caused widespread distress among residents and businesses, as well as substantial financial losses for nearby shops and cafés, which were forced to close.
Sergeant Michelle Munro, of the Bath City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The persistent drugs activity at the flat, and related disorder spilling into public spaces, has had a severe impact on the local community.
Issuing the closure notice to the tenant | Photo © Avon & Somerset Police
“The anti-social and often aggressive behaviour of the occupant and visitors has caused distress and disruption, with businesses having to halt trading on a few occasions.
“I acknowledge the frustration felt by many towards the police’s response, believing we didn’t do enough quickly enough.
“I assure you we’re strengthening our local neighbourhood policing teams, building capacity to better support you and tackle ASB and crime on our streets.
“This was a complex case, and efforts were ongoing to manage the occupant’s behaviour with offers of support, interventions and injunctions. These measures were ignored so we had no option but to pursue the court order.
“Thanks to today’s outcome at court, a weight can be lifted from residents’ shoulders and local businesses will be able to provide a service to the public in safety once more.”
Restaurateur Laurence Swan, owner of The Bath Bun and Hands Georgian Tearooms, said: “The Abbey Quarter Business Association have made representations to a number of stakeholders over the conduct and anti-social behaviour that surrounds the tenant at the flat for almost nine years.
“We are very disappointed that it’s taken so long to get to this position.
“The Abbey Green Quarter, particularly the café beneath the flat, has had to endure the wholly unacceptable behaviour related to the property affecting not only the business but the locals, visitors and tourists.
“We all welcome the news that the small independent group of businesses that work extremely hard encouraging and welcoming customers into their shops, restaurants and hotels can finally go about their busy lives and, once again, be custodians of the Abbey Green without fear of abuse or violence.
“We are grateful to Avon & Somerset Police, who drove the campaign, along with many other stakeholders, including the Bath BID [Business Improvement District], the security teams from major neighbouring stores, and Curo housing association involved in the case.”
Andrew Snee, director of housing at Curo, said: “Supporting communities is at the heart of everything we do at Curo, and we’re pleased that we were able to work with Avon & Somerset Police to achieve this closure order.
“We always take reports of anti-social behaviour seriously, and we value our long-term partnership with the police which allows us to tackle these issues, support our customers and help keep the communities we serve stronger and safer.”
The closure order could be extended after the initial three months. If anyone enters the property during this period, they will be committing an offence and may be arrested.
We asked Curo why it took nine years of reported problems before the tenant was removed.
A spokesperson for the Bath-based housing association and house-builder said: “A closure order is a power which only the police or a local authority has the authority to apply to the court for.
“Housing associations do not have a ‘right of audience’ to make these applications; at the moment we have to rely on others taking action when crime of this nature is reported.
“We have been lobbying government to grant housing associations the ability to make these applications, which would speed things up.
“The Crime & Policing Bill 2025, which is currently making its way through Parliament, aims to strengthen measures against ASB.
“Key proposals in the bill include housing associations having the power to apply for closure orders, and we’re hopeful that this will give us the ability to take decisive action in this sort of case.”
Avon & Somerset Police, meanwhile, encourages people to come forward if ASB is causing harm in their neighbourhood.
For civil legislation such as closure orders, anonymised evidence from residents and businesses can be used to support applications to court.
Kelly Parsons, Anti-Social Behaviour Manager at Avon & Somerset Police, said: “The reports we receive from community members are essential to identifying local issues and dealing with perpetrators of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and crime.
“Avon and Somerset Police has a dedicated ASB Team who manage these cases, using a range of legislation and powers to address persistent behaviour. These are stepped interventions, leading to court orders and criminal proceedings for the most severe cases.”
