People have also been banned from another building
Pictured is the disused Debenhams building in Long Row, Nottingham city centre(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)
A legal order has been put in place to try prevent more yobs from breaking into Nottingham city centre’s vacant former Debenhams building.
The Long Row department store closed in 2021 and has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour while plans are drawn up for its future, with youths and urban explorers breaking in and causing trouble in the city centre.
Now Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire Police have secured a closure order that means that anyone entering the empty property will be committing serious offence and likely face prosecution and a significant fine.
Chief Inspector Kylie Davies of Nottinghamshire Police said: “We are consistently called to the Debenhams site due to children and young people entering the site, climbing to the roof and putting themselves and the public at risk.
“This further closure order means that we have greater powers to deal with those who attempt to enter the premises, and we will not hesitate to use its full power.”
Closure orders are one of the tools available to local authorities and police under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
They are used in cases where there is serious nuisance, disorder or criminal behaviour linked to a property or premises and where action is needed to protect communities.
The city council and police have also secured a closure order for 31 Manston Mews in Radford, which had been subject to reports of serious anti-social behaviour, nuisance and disorder linked to drug use and prostitution.
Councillor Matt Shannon, executive member for community protection at Nottingham City Council, said: “People deserve to feel safe in their communities and free from the fear and distress that persistent anti-social behaviour can cause.
“We will not hesitate to take strong action where it is needed to protect the local community.
“These closure orders demonstrate the serious action Nottingham City Council and our partners are taking to tackle persistent nuisance, disorder and anti-social behaviour.
“Closure orders are not used lightly, but we will use every available power to protect Nottingham.”