A DRUGS den used by infamous Laindon gang the Bush Boys has been shut down.

Residents say their lives were made a misery by gang members using the flat in Ward Close, Laindon, as a place to peddle drugs and shoot-up.

The tenant of the first floor flat, a young mother, was evicted on Tuesday following numerous complaints from residents and a number of warnings from the council.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “We are so happy they have gone.

“It is a relief. We have had people coming and going at all hours, drug dealing in the street, fighting, abusive language, people setting fires.

“The police were always round here.

“It’s been a total misery over the past fewmonths.”

Since early this year, neighbours were forced to put up with people urinating in the stairwell of the flats, fights and abusive language.

Officers from Basildon Council’s antisocial behaviour team and Laindon police got a closure order on the councilowned two-bedroom property.

Councillor Phil Turner, leader of Basildon Council, said: “The closure order means these premises will be closed for a period of three months with the intention of disrupting the on-going antisocial behaviour and restoring the quality of life for residents.”

The council applied for the order under new legislation which came into force on October 20. It is now seeking a possession order to permanently prevent the tenant from returning to the property.

Sgt Ben Woollard, from Basildon Neighbourhood Policing Team, added: “This action is the result of hard work by the Laindon neighbourhood policing team.

“The tenant had received a number of warnings from the police and council.

“We work closely with the council to shut down nuisance addresses.”

Neighbours who are concerned about antisocial behaviour or want to give information anonymously can contact Julie Hennessey on 01268 465133 or