RESIDENTS of a Blackburn street where a house has been used for prostitution for over two years today expressed their “delight and relief” after a judge made a closure order on the property.

District judge Peter Ward, sitting at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court, closed number 40 Blackburn Street for three months.

The order was made in the absence of the occupier, Saleha Patel, 28, who the court was told had failed to co-operate with all efforts to resolve the situation without coming to court.

The court heard how a procession of men visited the house at all hours of the day and night provoking widespread concern and on occasions violence in the neighbourhood.

‘Visitors’ to the property had been attacked and on one occasion police had to deal with an incident which provoked more than 150 residents to take to the streets, the court heard.

The people living directly next to the property were seriously affected and one female neighbour was confronted by a man at her back door, late at night, asking how much she charged for sex.

Making the order after reading statements, District Judge Ward said there was clear evidence the house had been used for prostitution.

“Men have been calling at the house at all hours of the day and night and on occasions the police have taken statements from men who have openly admitted why they have been there,” said Judge Ward.

“The comings and goings at this property have caused considerable problems for the people living in the area – not least when they have mistakenly gone to the wrong house.

“Decent people living in the area have been affected by grossly offensive behaviour which has blighted their lives,” he added.

Speaking after the hearing female neighbours, who asked to remain anonymous, said they were “absolutely delighted” the order had been made.

“We can feel safe again in our homes,” said one. “Many of us have children and we have had to put up with what has been going on there.

“The whole community has been upset and feelings have been running very high at times.

Police sergeant Abid Khan said the behaviour at number 40 had caused a lot of concern to the whole community.

“We have worked with both the individual concerned and the community to try and resolve this situation and taking the matter this far shows we are serious about anti-social behaviour,” said PS Khan.