Council takes action to stop anti-social behaviour at block of flats

Officers from Trafford Council have taken firm action to put a stop to anti-social behaviour at a vacant block of flats in the Old Trafford area.

Drug addicts and thieves have descended on Aura Court since much of it was closed in August 2020 by Greater Manchester Fire Service (GMFRS) due to a decaying non-compliant fire escape.

Since then, the building has been subject to a variety of anti-social behaviour including drug taking and theft from empty homes. As a consequence, Trafford Council, working closely with Greater Manchester Police, secured a closure Order on Aura Court on 22 December. This has now been backed up by measures to secure the premises with steel sheeting.

The Council is now working with the GMFRS and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on securing an agreed specification for remediation works on the non-compliant elements of the building – in due course it is hoped this will enable the building to re-open to residents.

Cllr Rose Thompson, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Communities and Safety, said “We need to keep our residents and communities safe from anti-social behaviour and crime – consequently where we identify a location is a focus for such activity, we won’t hesitate to take action. We have been pleased to liaise closely with Greater Manchester Police to ensure this building is properly secured.”

Cllr James Wright, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration, added: “At a time when so many people are in need of a decent home, it’s a disgrace that successive freeholders have allowed these flats to be subject to such disorder and disrepair.

“We will continue to work with partners to get this building fully re-occupied once more.”