Police have closed six homes and kicked out tenants who had put their neighbours through months of drug-related disorder.
The operation, carried out in conjunction with North West Leicestershire District Council, targeted homes in Coalville and the surrounding area.
Police said the tenants and visitors had been a ‘daily’ problem.
Orders granted by a court today gave police and the council the final go-ahead to remove the tenants.
They have been given help to find alternative accommodation.
Councillor Trevor Pendleton, chairman of the Safer North West Leicestershire Partnership, said the operation was the largest of its kind in the county due to the number of properties involved.
Inspector Richard Jackson, commander of police in the area, said: “We welcome the closure orders after experiencing daily issues with the premises which had caused occupants and local residents misery and grief and negatively impacted on our community.
He said the closure orders highlighted "the determination of the police and the council to take positive action against such anti-social behaviour".
Insp Jackson added: "We pride ourselves on how we work with our local community, and this is one example of the positive impact this can have when we do so.”
Coun Pendleton said: “This is the biggest operation of its kind in Leicestershire and we’re proud to work with the police to really make an impact.
“We’re not alone in this – anti-social behaviour and drug problems happen in every community – but with this action we show we will not tolerate this sort of criminality that has such a negative effect on the people involved and the local area.”
Bev Smith, chief executive of North West Leicestershire District Council, said: “We hope we’ve sent a clear message to people associated with drug-related anti-social behaviour – we will use all our powers, including closure orders, with the aim of reducing the impact of drug use in our district.”
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The tenants were given the opportunity to appeal against the orders at court today.
One did, and the property has been only partially closed on the condition that only the named tenant lives there.
Officers also applied for a closure order at a seventh property. A hearing about that is due to take place at Leicester Magistrates’ Court next Friday.
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