A STOURPORT flat has been boarded up and closed after police made a successful application to magistrates following a major drugs seizure operation.

Kidderminster magistrates granted the police application on Tuesday.

North Worcestershire Police, in partnership with Wyre Forest Community Housing, sought the closure of 59 Old Ford Walk on The Walshes estate.

It followed Operation Midas, a three-month police initiative which resulted in a large seizure of drugs and several people in the Stourport area being arrested and charged with drug offences.

Insp Paul Crowley, of Kidderminster police, said: "On the back of evidence found on the premises by officers and the associated anti-social behaviour, magistrates have agreed to close 59 Old Ford Walk. The closure order means everybody is excluded from the premises."

Insp Crowley said: "North Worcestershire Division does not have a significant problem with Class A drugs. However, we do come down hard on those who are committing drugs offences.

"This is the first time a premises has been closed down in North Worcestershire using legislation under the Anti Social Behaviour Act and it is a really positive move in our fight against drugs and the anti-social behaviour associated with them."

He added: "The police are aware that this is a significant step to close someone's address down but people involved in or allowing their premises to be used for drug use or abuse need to know that their premises could be closed."

He added he wanted to appeal to Wyre Forest residents to report any concerns they had about premises, adding: "If there is any evidence of similar addresses we are more than willing to take this action.

"I would hope that anybody that is abusing drugs takes notice of this and take it as a warning that if their address is associated with drug abuse and anti-social behaviour they, too, can have their addresses closed down."

Wyre Forest Community Housing estates and anti-social behaviour manager, Tom McGee, said: "We work closely in partnership with West Mercia police and this has been a really positive step in combating anti-social behaviour on our estates."