By Eve Noon

TENANTS OF a Dundee council flat were banned from their home last night, only a fortnight after their neighbours were also kicked out due to constant anti-social behaviour.

Over the last three months, police have received almost 30 calls in relation to anti-social and drug-related behaviour emanating from the top-floor flat at 14E Dallfield Court.

Police gained a closure order at Dundee Sheriff Court yesterday afternoon for the council-owned flat in the Hilltown area.

The order was granted under the terms of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act and it means the tenants, Michael Reilly (38) and Sarah Shirkey (26), are excluded from the flat for three months.

When police officers entered the flat at around 4.30pm, the two tenants were not home.

Council workmen fitted a steel shutter over the door of the flat, which was in a state of disarray.

The address has been the scene of constant anti-social behaviour caused by the tenants and a large number of visitors.

Concerns were expressed about visitors to the flat causing disturbances and fighting at all hours of the day and night, as well as the main entrance to the building being forced on various occasions.

There were also suspicions about drug dealing, as well as evidence of drug taking on the landing outside the flat, with blood and drugs paraphernalia, including used needles, being left in common stairwells. Human excrement was also found in communal areas.

Just last month, the neighbouring flat within the multi-storey block had a closure order imposed upon it and was also fitted with a steel shutter at the time to prevent any access.

Barbara Johnstone (43) and her two teenage sons were removed from their top-floor flat on August 26, after police were called out 20 times over three months.

No less than 167 needles have been collected by the police or the council in the area of the address since November.

Superintendent Colin Mackay, deputy divisional commander in Dundee, said, “We hope that this latest closure order will provide residents with the respite they deserve and that they can live their lives in relative peace and quiet.

“In the meantime, we will be working with our colleagues at Dundee City Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team with a view to finding a long-term solution for all concerned.

“The actions we have taken are further evidence of the work that we are doing under Operation Waterloo, aiming to tackle drugs activity and anti-social behaviour to improve the quality of life for the law-abiding majority in Dundee.”

The force will continue to monitor and police the area while the closure notice is in place.

Officers involved in Operation Waterloo have been targeting drug dealers in the Hilltown and Stobswell areas.

George Regan, convener of Dundee City Council’s housing committee, said, “The decision to grant a closure order in this case is one that we welcome as a demonstration of the effectiveness of the council’s anti-social behaviour team and the help it can give to local residents.

“The council works in partnership with the police and other agencies to help deal with behaviour like this that is totally unacceptable. People in communities all over Dundee deserve the right to live peacefully.”