Court order secured to tackle anti-social behaviour at flats

01 May 2026

A court order restricting access to a block of flats in Northampton has been granted in a bid to tackle anti‑social behaviour.

The Partial Closure Order places strict limits on access to St Stephen’s House in Spring Boroughs, banning anyone who is not a resident from entering the building or its shared areas, including entrances, stairwells, car park entrances and bin stores.

It was granted by Northampton Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday 30 April), following an application from West Northamptonshire Council’s Community Safety Team, in partnership with Northamptonshire Partnership Homes and Northamptonshire Police. 

The order, which will remain in place for three months, aims to protect residents from ongoing anti‑social behaviour that has been making their lives a misery.

Residents have described issues including drug use, people urinating and defecating in communal areas, people passed out in walkways or stairs, and loud and aggressive behaviour. 

This is the first time a Partial Closure Order has been put in place on an entire block of flats in Northamptonshire. Anyone who breaches it commits a criminal offence and faces arrest.

This order sends a clear message that persistent anti‑social behaviour will not be tolerated. Residents have the right to feel safe in their own homes, and this action provides greater powers to prevent those who are causing problems from accessing the building.

We will always look to work with partners and take proportionate action, but where behaviour crosses the line and has a serious impact on people’s lives, we will not hesitate to use the full range of legal tools available to protect our communities.Cllr Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at West Northamptonshire Council

This closure order is the outcome of sustained, coordinated work between Northamptonshire Police, West Northamptonshire Council and Northamptonshire Partnership Homes to address repeated anti-social behaviour at St Stephen’s House.

Officers have worked closely with partners to gather evidence, respond to incidents and support residents, and this could not have been achieved without that collaboration.

The order gives us clear powers to take enforcement action, disrupt harmful behaviour and provide much needed reassurance to those living in the building.Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Anna Wyburn

NPH officers have been supporting residents in the block throughout this challenging time, and we are delighted that the court has granted this order to provide vital reassurance and relief.

Everyone deserves to live in a home where daily life is comfortable, safe and free from the negative impact of anti-social behaviour. This outcome demonstrates the real difference that strong partnership working can deliver for our communities.Ryan Surridge, Head of Neighbourhoods at Northamptonshire Partnership Homes (NPH)