A nightmare home in Harrow that was a hotspot for drug use and people fighting has been shut down by the council following months of residents’ complaints. 

The property in Mayfield Avenue, Kenton, was handed a closure order at the end of July after a joint investigation by Harrow Council and the Metropolitan Police found there had been ongoing issues with anti-social behaviour. 

This included the “constant smell of drugs”, regular fights breaking out, and people shouting and swearing throughout the night.

READ MORE:

Neighbours added they often felt “intimidated” by and faced harassment from the people living in and visiting the house. 

They reported the issues to the council over an eight-month period, prompting an investigation that concluded with officers taking action. 

Cllr Anjana Patel, lead councillor for the environment and community safety at Harrow Council, said: “This is great news for residents of Mayfield Avenue. 

“Everyone has a right to feel safe in their own community and I’d like to thank our officers and partners at the police for putting our residents first and shutting down this property which has been a hub for anti-social behaviour, crime and drugs.

“I hope it gives local residents reassurance and peace of mind when they are going about their day. 

“We will continue to tackle these issues and won’t hesitate to do the same with any other properties making our neighbourhoods feel unsafe.”

The closure is the latest attempt by Harrow Council to address problem properties in the borough, as it promised to get tougher on crime. 

A flat in Pearson Apartments, in College Road in Harrow town centre, was given a closure order following similar complaints around drug use and anti-social behaviour. 

This was the second time in less than a year that a closure order has been issued against a property in Pearson Apartments. 

In October 2021, a three-month order was issued following a similar joint investigation following reports of regular drunkenness, drug taking and other forms of nuisance behaviour.

At the time, the council said it would “always take swift action against those who negatively impact our community” and stressed resident safety is at the heart of its ethos.