The council and police have issued a closure order on a property in Rickmansworth where “cuckooing” is suspected to have occurred.

Three Rivers District Council in partnership with Hertfordshire Police and Thrive Homes were granted the order by magistrates last week on a property in Barn Lea, Mill End, where antisocial behaviour and drug dealing is believed to have happened.

“Cuckooing” is the term used to describe when individuals and gangs travel to towns and take over vulnerable people’s homes to deal drugs.

Three Rivers Community Safety Partnership gathered evidence in support of the order which will prevent anyone other than the tenant and their support services from entering for three months.

Anyone breaching this order can be arrested.

Councillor Roger Seabourne, lead member for community safety, said “Three Rivers District Council is committed to taking action against antisocial behaviour, crime and disorder including cuckooing by working in partnership with the community, the police and housing providers.

“These closure orders demonstrate the determination of our Community Safety Partnership to protect our communities.”

Council leader, Sara Bedford, said: “We thank the local community in supporting us, we also thank the Hertfordshire Police and Thrive Homes partnership.

“We want people to continue to report their concerns about their neighbours, friends or relatives who may have become victimised in this way.

“It is vital that the public continue to work with us so that we can take action to safeguard the person, investigate those people who have taken over their home and continue to build up intelligence.”

Please report antisocial behaviour on the non-emergency police number 101 – in an emergency 999 or Three Rivers District Council on enquiries@threerivers.gov.uk

Alternatively, you can contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org