Cambridgeshire Police have successfully had a closure order extended for a piece of land in Wisbech over "nuisance behaviour".
The land, which is near Fenland Recycling Centre in Boleness Road, Wisbech, had a closure order granted on December 28, 2023 and it expired today.
However, Wisbech Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) applied to the court for the order to be extended for a further three months, which was granted on March 27.
The closure was made after staff at the recycling centre and members of the community complained to the police about anti-social and criminal behaviour on the land, including trespassing, rough-sleeping, littering, and items being stolen from the recycling centre and sold on the land.
These activities have been attracting people to the land at all times of the night, despite it being closed.
The land, which has been split into two parts, is owned by two different companies.
The section of land owned by Cadent Gas is now closed to anyone other than the employees of Cadent Gas, authorised contractors, staff from Fenland District Council, and the emergency services until June 28.
The other section of land, owned by Fosters Development LTD, is closed to anyone other than employees of Fosters Development LTD, authorised contractors, staff from Fenland District Council and the emergency services until 28 June.
Failure to comply with the order, which was granted at Peterborough Magistrates' Court, is a criminal offence which could result in imprisonment of up to three months, a fine, or both.
PC Justin Bielawski, from the Wisbech Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “My team and I have visited the site more than 30 times in the last three months to check for breaches and it has been evident that people are still using the land.
"One man was caught in the act, arrested and charged with breaching a closure order and is due to appear in court on March 28."
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