Mitcham Common property closed and locks changed after three weekends of unlicensed parties

Noise inspectors have shut down premises for disturbing residents through a series of unlicensed music events during February.

Members of the Safer Merton team were initially alerted by an email to their inbox by a local resident on 14 February, complaining of parties being held at 265 Commonside East, Mitcham.

Working in partnership with Pollards Hill police, enforcement officers collected impact statements from residents affected by three successive weekends of disturbance.

A premises closure order was granted on the property at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on 3 March – less than three weeks after events were first reported – under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The locks have now been changed to secure it for the three-month duration of the closure order.

Councillor Agatha Akyigyina, Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Public Safety and Tackling Crime, said: “This prompt action to shut down an unlicensed premises which was causing residents disturbance and leading to disorder shows how committed Merton is to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.

“I’d like to thank members of the local police, our legal team, the South London Legal Partnership, and especially the proactive approach of the ASB Officer and their effective partnership working.”

If you have any issues around anti-social behaviour, Safer Merton’s ASB team can be contacted by telephone on 020 8274 490 or by email at asbu@merton.gov.uk.