Linked with drug activity and anti-social behaviour, a Hemel Hempstead flat is now subject to a partial closure order.

The three-month order was granted at St Albans Magistrates' Court yesterday (Wednesday, April 10) and will only allow Hightown Housing Association, its agents and the emergency services to enter the Hosking Court property.

Anyone who breaches the terms of the order could face arrest and a fine, imprisonment or both.

Sergeant Craig Butler said: "We hope this result will provide some respite from the ongoing issues suffered by neighbours and improve their quality of life.

“Our neighbourhood policing team colleagues will continue to regularly patrol the area, but in the interim we have asked neighbours to report any breaches of the order to us as soon as possible so we can take further action if required.

“If you have information about suspected drug activity and anti-social behaviour in your neighbourhood, please don’t hesitate to report it to us.

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"We will take it seriously and we will do all we can to prevent it from adversely affecting the lives of decent, law-abiding people who live nearby.”

Information can be reported to Hertfordshire police online at www.herts.police.uk/ro/report or by calling the police's non-emergency number 101.

Anonymous information can be given by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.