POLICE have used new powers to board up a New Ferry "crack house" after being alerted to it by neighbours.

The house was shut down after local residents reported drug- dealing and anti-social behaviour taking place.

It is the first such building in Wirral to be closed down under new police powers that allow homes believed to be used for dealing or producing class-A drugs to be served with 'closure notices.'

Following months of surveillance by police and co-operation from neighbours two people were removed from the house.

Under the conditions of the closure notice they will not be allowed to return to the council house for three months.

Should anyone return to the house police, who will be watching the premises, are authorised to arrest them for breach of the order

The closure notice was issued in connection with the unlawful use, production and supply of class-A drugs associated with disorder or serious nuisance under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003

Liberal Democrat councillor Steve Niblock said: "The first closure order on Wirral should tell the drug dealers that their behaviour will not be tolerated. Residents do not want to suffer from their trade."

Merseyside Police worked with Wirral council's anti-social behaviour team and used log books of residents recording the times and dates of visitors entering the house and any disturbances.

Neighbourhood Inspector Simon Irving said: "The closure order is the result of a long-running and complex operation between police and the local authority which came about as a result of concerns expressed to us by members of the public.

"Consequently, we have acted upon the information given to us and we want to reassure members of the local community that we will take positive action against those people who are involved in the supply of controlled drugs. I would urge the local community to continue to support the police in order to send out a clear message that such activities will not be tolerated.

"The activities of drug dealers not only blights our communities, it ruins lives and makes life a misery for those people who wish to carry out their day to day activities without fear."

Caroline Laing, manager of Wirral's Anti-Social Behaviour Team, praised the help and support of several householders.

She said: "They decided that they were not prepared to stand back and let drug dealing take place in their community and provided daily logs of the activity and disorder this caused.

"Our residents do not want drugs in their communities and we, together with the police, will take firm action against those individuals who are involved in the misuse of drugs."