A new court order has restricted access to St Stephen’s House in Spring Boroughs, Northampton, in a move designed to curb persistent anti-social behaviour. The decision, granted by Northampton Magistrates’ Court on 30 April 2026, marks the first time such an order has been applied to an entire block of flats in the county.
The order bans anyone who is not a resident from entering the building or its shared areas, including entrances, stairwells, car park entrances, and bin stores. This restriction will remain in place for three months. Anyone found breaching these conditions will be committing a criminal offence and faces the risk of arrest.
For years, residents have reported significant issues within the building, including drug use, loud and aggressive behaviour, and individuals found passed out in stairwells or hallways. People have also reported individuals urinating and defecating in communal spaces, creating difficult living conditions for those in the flats.
The action follows a coordinated effort between West Northamptonshire Council‘s Community Safety Team, Northamptonshire Partnership Homes, and Northamptonshire Police. Cllr Charlie Hastie, the council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said the order sends a clear message that persistent anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated, adding that residents have a right to feel safe in their own homes.
The Spring Boroughs area has faced long-standing challenges with anti-social behaviour, with records of such issues dating back to 2010. Residents of St Stephen’s House had specifically highlighted these ongoing concerns as early as 2019, describing the frequent presence of individuals causing disruptions in the building’s communal areas.
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