A vulnerable council tenant in Barking and Dagenham has handed their keys back to the council and agreed to live in supported accommodation after their property had been taken over by drug users.

The council became aware of the issue at 93A Meadow Road, Dagenham early last year and had made several attempts to solve the issue including working with the police to install two premises Closure Orders in June and September 2023.

The Closure Orders meant that anyone who entered the property without permission would be arrested.

However, the issues continued, blighting the lives of neighbours and other residents.

Thanks to the work of the council’s Antisocial Behaviour, Mental Health, Landlord Services, Adult Social Care teams and the police, the tenant handed back the keys to the property earlier this month.

The individual will now live in supported accommodation provided by the council.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “Nobody should become a victim in their own home and be treated the way this individual has. I’m really pleased that we have been able to get them out of this situation and into a better, more supportive home.

“Now we have the keys back, we can take back control of the property and make it available to another person or family.”

If a resident is aware of a property being used in the wrong way, they can report it to the council by emailing If a resident is aware of a property being used in the wrong way, they can report it to the council by emailing asb@lbbd.gov.uk.