WHY should neighbours who, for many years, have had a peaceful and relaxed existence have to endure uncaring people who move in next door and then, day after day, proceed to wreak havoc?
That was the case in Oak Park Villas, Dawlish, where two men, who had been drug abusers in the past, had residents living in fear. One even boarded up her home.
The two men and their visitors drove neighbours to desperation with loud music, threats, abuse, swearing and fights, as well as smashing windows and vandalising vehicles. An ambulance was called to the building between two and three times weekly.
It was a nightmare that could have gone on for years, but the police and Teignbridge Council joined forces to get them out.
The police and district authority used new powers under the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003 to apply successfully for a Closure Order in the magistrates' court.
Tuesday was the first time it had been used in Teignbridge.
The flat is now to be boarded up for three months and has been handed back to the landlord.
We can only hope that individuals or groups heed the warning that if they make other people's lives a misery, the police and Teignbridge won't hesitate to continue using these powers.
The two ordered out at Dawlish are now out of the district. All we can say is: good riddance.