A council says the coronavirus lockdown has made crime and antisocial behaviour "more noticeable" after securing two closure orders.

Three Rivers District Council says it received a number of complaints from people reporting loud arguments, suspected drug use and drug dealing, and noise disturbance at two unconnected addresses in South Oxhey and Leavesden.

Working with Hertfordshire Constabulary, Origin Housing and Thrive Homes, the council says it was able to gather enough evidence to support the closure orders in the district.

On Friday, May 1, Luton Magistrates' Court granted a closure order extension for a property in Malden House, South Oxhey, meaning that no-one, including the named tenant, is allowed to enter for the next three months.

The court granted the second closure order on Tuesday, May 5, at a property in Cheshire Drive, Leavesden, excluding anyone except the tenant for three months.

Both orders were granted under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014. Anyone who breaks the closure orders will face arrest.

Leader of Three Rivers District Council Sara Bedford said: “I want to reassure residents there has not been an increase in drug dealing. However, as there are fewer people out and about, crime and antisocial behaviour has become more noticeable and there has been an increase in reports from residents.

"I would like to thank those residents who have come forward to give us vital information, enabling us to continue tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.”

Cllr Roger Seabourne, lead member for Community Safety and Partnerships at the council, added: “Anti-social behaviour has a detrimental effect on the community.

"We want to help people affected by anti-social behaviour and offer support to those who have been targeted, most often due to a variety of vulnerabilities. Drug dealers are no longer able to 'hide in the open' and this is a positive side effect of the lockdown.

"Taking action against these criminals now will help keep our residents safer as we begin to return to more normal activities.

“We very much value our close working relationship with all our partners and know that these positive results provide a good precedent for future partnership working. Please continue to report anything of concern via the non-emergency number 101, or, if a crime or ASB is in progress to dial 999.”