A derelict dwelling that had fallen into disuse and was recently serving as a venue for unlawful narcotics operations has been subject to a compulsory closure.

Officials indicated that persistent misbehaviour and drug-related incidents at the premises had been characterised as continuous at the undisclosed site within the Wantage and Grove area.

Police secured a judicial directive to seal the property on Thursday, March 19, with new locks installed and access forbidden, according to a communication from Thames Valley Police issued this afternoon (March 26).

Individuals who breach the closure directive by entering could be detained.

A force spokesperson stated that over the preceding months, authorities had secured eight closure orders, with most designed to safeguard vulnerable people who were being taken advantage of.

Protecting exposed individuals remains a core focus for them. However, the March 19 directive represented a closure order of an entirely distinct character.

This specific order stemmed directly from persistent nuisance behaviour emanating from a property positioned centrally within their neighbourhood.

The premises had been abandoned by its former occupant before being taken over by others who were consuming drugs there and causing difficulties for local residents.

Under the terms of the closure order, nobody is permitted to enter the structure throughout the duration it remains active.

The locks have been changed, and the housing association will be implementing further steps to ensure the address cannot continue to be utilised in ways that harm the surrounding community.

They remain committed to preserving security in Wantage and Grove and will continue implementing decisive measures whenever required.