Gosport Flat Sealed After Drug Chaos and Violence
A Gosport council flat has been boarded up after neighbours reported a nightmare of drug deals, violence, fires, and late-night disturbances. Residents say they were too scared to go out after dark and worried sick for their children’s safety.
Knives, Axe and Class A Drugs Found Inside
Inside the property on South Street’s Burney House, officers uncovered knives, an axe, and Class A drugs. Council staff had to visit the flat with police for their own safety. Now, backed by the police, Gosport Borough Council has secured a court order to close the flat down.
Eight Families Living in Fear
Portsmouth Magistrates Court heard from residents of the block, including vulnerable and elderly tenants. They described constant visitors, door buzzers pressed day and night, drug dealing, thefts, fires, and both verbal and physical assaults. Shockingly, visitors even threatened a child.
A child once came home from school to find a woman collapsed in the communal hallway, foaming and incoherent. Fires broke out twice, forcing block evacuation. On one occasion, occupants failed to respond to the blaze, while fire officers spotted a suspected drug deal in progress.
Council Clamps Down: Flat Sealed for Three Months
Despite warnings, the anti-social behaviour continued unchecked. The flat is now sealed for three months. The council is pushing to evict the tenant permanently. Anyone caught entering faces a hefty fine, a prison sentence, or both.
Cllr Sue Ballard, Housing Board Chair: “Residents have suffered truly awful behaviour. Noise from visitors has caused chronic sleep deprivation. Families are afraid to even let their kids play outside.”
PC Vicki Wallace, Neighbourhood Team: “Residents endured threats and intimidation that made life miserable. This closure sends a strong message that we won’t tolerate drug-related crime in our communities. Anyone breaching this order faces criminal charges.”
The council and police thanked the local community for their courage and urged anyone affected by drugs or anti-social behaviour to keep reporting it. They vowed to continue hunting criminals and restoring safety to Gosport’s streets.
