Newsroom

15 April 2026

Neighbours welcome action as Closure Orders enforced on problem properties

Residents have spoken of their relief as court orders have been imposed on three properties at the centre of serious criminal exploitation and anti-social behaviour.

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Blackpool Council has secured Closure Orders for three homes where vulnerable tenants and their neighbours had been subjected to exploitation, intimidation and assaults.

Neighbours have since told of the difference made by the Closure Orders.

The orders, granted at Preston Magistrates’ Court on March 11 and March 20, follow extensive work by the Council’s Public Protection and Legal teams, Lancashire Police, and Blackpool Coastal Housing.

They relate to properties on Munster Avenue in Bispham, Tynedale Road on Grange Park, and Pleasant Street in Claremont. All had been ‘cuckooed’ by criminals who targeted the vulnerable adults living in the addresses.

Cuckooing involves offenders taking over the home of a vulnerable person, often someone with mental health issues, disabilities, or substance dependencies, and using it to conduct criminal activity such as drug dealing or storing illegal goods.

Criminals had attacked, stolen from, and vandalised the homes of their victims, and subjected neighbours to intimidation. And in one case, a neighbour was subjected to a serious assault.

Another neighbour described the experience as “a living nightmare”.

They said: 

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“Visitors to the property on our street were aggressive and intimidating. It was unbearable. “Since the Order was brought in, it’s been like a breath of fresh air. The property is now being restored and all residents look forward to our street being restored to how it was. It’s a fabulous community. “The council’s Community Safety team were amazing and we can’t thank them enough for their support.”
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Each of the Closure Orders was approved at Preston Magistrates Court under Section 80 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

They prohibit anyone other than the tenant and staff from Blackpool Coastal Housing, Blackpool Council, emergency services or support services from entering each home. Anyone else found visiting or entering the addresses will risk arrest, prosecution and, potentially, imprisonment.

Cllr Paula Burdess, cabinet member for community safety, street scene and neighbourhoods, said: 

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Cuckooing is a despicable crime, targeting and exploiting vulnerable people and causing misery for neighbours. We are committed to using all powers at our disposal to disrupt crime like this. “Our public protection and legal teams have worked closely with Lancashire Police and Blackpool Coastal Housing to enforce this action. I’d like to thank all the teams involved in bringing these Orders into place. It takes a mix of effort, expertise and - in the case of walking into really challenging environments to enforce action - bravery, to do what’s right and protect residents, their neighbours and the wider community. “Enforcement action like this is one of the many ways we are working to improve housing and neighbourhoods across Blackpool. We are committed to supporting tenants, protecting neighbours, disrupting crime and anti-social behaviour, and working with housing providers, landlords and the police, all to create safe, resilient and attractive neighbourhoods.”
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Closure Orders have also been secured in recent months for addresses on Manchester Road and Kingsland Grove.

Another neighbour has described the significant impact one of the properties had on the neighbourhood.

He said: 

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“The issues at the property were having a detrimental effect on all of us. I’m being treated for cancer, so it affected me both emotionally and mentally, and older neighbours were fearful of coming out of their properties due to constant anti-social behaviour, including property damage and violence. “Police attended on many occasions and were very understanding and supportive. The local authority issued Notices and Warnings and fitted cameras to monitor the activities. Then when it escalated, they used this Closure Order. “Now the tenant has left, the property returned to its original condition, and we have got back a more serene street.”
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The three tenants linked to the Closure Orders at Munster Avenue, Tynedale Road, and Pleasant Street, each identified as a highly vulnerable adult, are now being supported by Blackpool Coastal Housing and partner services.

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