A “problem property” raided and closed last year after it was used to deal drugs from will now be used as housing following a refurbishment.

The Rushton Avenue house, formerly the site of serious anti-social behaviour, has been given a new lease of life after a closure order between Watford Community Housing and Hertfordshire Constabulary was brought.

Last year, the housing association received serious complaints about the property which were passed on to the police.

The two organisations worked with councillors and neighbours to build a case until the housing association’s Anti-Social Behaviour team raided the property and it was closed for three months.

That closure order was later extended to six months prohibiting anyone from going inside.

While empty, the two-bedroom property was revamped and will now be offered out to people who need it.

Before

After

Andrea Loomes, neighbourhoods team leader at Watford Community Housing, said: “We’re really pleased about the positive result of this case.

“Working in partnership with the police is absolutely essential to keeping our communities safe, and the fact that we’ve been able to fully restore a house for someone to live in is an excellent outcome.

“This just goes to show that our policy of ‘evidence, action and procedure’ will lead to the court taking serious measures. I’d like to thank the residents and community for their hard work and patience throughout this process.”

Watford Chief Inspector Matt Phillips added: “No-one should be detrimentally affected by the actions of their neighbours and we will continue to take this kind of action wherever necessary.

“I would urge residents to continue to report anything of concern to us. Your calls can make a real difference.”