A crack house in Ipswich has been boarded up after police officers took the case to court following a series of complaints from neighbours.

The drugs den in King’s Way, off Nacton Road, was reported to Suffolk Police around three months ago.

Anti-social behaviour including fighting and disturbances blighted the area, prompting residents to report the issue to the South East Ipswich Safer Neighbourhood Team.

On Tuesday South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court upheld the police force’s application for a closure order under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

Sergeant Mark Thomas said the action served as an example of zero-tolerance to anti-social behaviour.

“We were getting lots of reports from residents in the area,” he said.

“In order to take action to stop the anti-social behaviour we had to gather evidence, including community impact statements to outline the nuisance it was causing.

“We worked very closely with our Ipswich Borough Council partners to collate the evidence to take the case to court, where closure was granted.”

He added: “It is not just about drug dealing from the address. It is the nuisance caused with people coming and going, fights and general anti-social behaviour.

“The closure means the man living there has been re-homed and the place has been boarded up.

“It will remain so for three months and we can apply to have the closure extended for another three months.

“The action has provided some relief and reassurance to members of the community who have been affected by the activity at the address. Dealing drugs will not be tolerated and anybody trying to do so will be dealt with robustly.”

Has your community been blighted by anti-social behaviour? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email starletters@archant.co.uk