Swansea Council housing officers will be able to go to court to shut homes taken over by drug dealers, after cabinet signed off new powers.
Trained officers in Housing Services and City Centre Management can now issue formal warnings and notices to people whose behaviour is having an ongoing harmful effect on others, the council says.
In serious cases, housing officers will also be able to seek Closure Orders, including where criminals are suspected of cuckooing.
What cuckooing is, and how a Closure Order works
Cuckooing is where criminals take over a vulnerable person’s home and use it to deal drugs or commit other crimes.
The council says a Closure Order can restrict the people causing the problems while protecting the person who lives there. Its report to cabinet said a partial order could bar those exploiting a home without necessarily excluding the tenant.
A warning first, then a notice, then a criminal offence
A Community Protection Warning is the first formal step, used where persistent or continuing unreasonable behaviour is having a detrimental effect on the area.
If the behaviour carries on, a Community Protection Notice can follow once the evidence has been assessed. Breaking one is a criminal offence.
The council adopted the powers in 2018. Its report admitted that its housing service had not built them into day-to-day work and had relied on civil injunctions instead.
The Matthew Street flats and Clear, Hold, Build in Dyfatty
The council’s report said the new tools would back Clear, Hold, Build, the police-led crackdown on organised crime in Dyfatty, “and other priority areas”.
Police launched the operation in front of the Matthew Street flats in March. A week later a London dealer was arrested on the same street, and he has now been jailed for 32 months.
‘Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home’
Cllr Andrea Harrington, joint deputy leader and cabinet member for transformation, said: “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home, neighbourhood and community.”
“We recognise the impact anti-social behaviour can have on residents and businesses, while also understanding that there can be underlying issues driving that behaviour,” she said.
“Our focus is on early intervention, support and positive action wherever possible, while ensuring appropriate measures are available to protect individuals and communities when needed.”
‘Welcoming, safe and enjoyable places for everyone’
The powers sit alongside the three-year Public Spaces Protection Order that cabinet approved in September. It covers the city centre, beachfront and Dyfatty, with a new rule on dangerous e-bike and scooter riding.
According to the council, officers made more than 1,100 interventions under the previous order over two years. More than 230 led to further police action, and more than 80 to referrals for support or safeguarding.
Cllr David Hopkins, joint deputy leader and cabinet member for investment and delivery, said: “We want Swansea’s city centre, beachfront and residential communities to be welcoming, safe and enjoyable places for everyone.”
He said the review showed the order “has made a positive difference, helping partners tackle anti-social behaviour, support vulnerable people and improve confidence in our public spaces”.
Anyone worried that a home is being cuckooed can call South Wales Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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