This closure is a joint effort by Haringey Council and the Metropolitan Police to combat persistent anti-social behaviour (ASB), drug misuse, and public disorder
A bold and wide-reaching closure order has been implemented at the Rothbury Walk Estate in Northumberland Park, Haringey, in a joint effort by Haringey Council and the Metropolitan Police to combat persistent anti-social behaviour (ASB), drug misuse, and public disorder. The three-month legal intervention, which came into force on 16 April 2025, marks a significant step in restoring safety and peace for local residents who have endured rising levels of disruption.
Unlike conventional closure orders that typically apply to single homes or units, this initiative covers an entire housing block. It restricts access to communal spaces and stairwells to anyone who does not live at the estate, effectively targeting loitering, unauthorised gatherings, and criminal activity linked to trespassers. Since its enforcement, individuals without legitimate reasons for being inside the block have been removed or arrested, demonstrating swift and serious implementation.
“The success of this approach at Cordell House has demonstrated its effectiveness, and we are confident it will bring similar improvements to Rothbury Walk Estate.”
Sarah Williams, Deputy Leader
The move mirrors the success of a previous closure order issued at Cordell House in 2024, where authorities reported a remarkable 98% reduction in ASB offences following the enforcement. Officials hope the same impact can be achieved at Rothbury Walk, which has seen a troubling rise in drug-related activity, abandoned paraphernalia, and increasingly unsafe conditions that have deeply affected the lives of local residents.
The action is underpinned by extensive collaboration between Haringey Council’s Housing, Community Safety, and ASB teams, local councillors, and the Northumberland Park Neighbourhood Policing Team, who consulted widely with residents to understand the most pressing concerns. A recent community survey painted a stark picture: 72% of respondents said they had witnessed drug use in their building, 64% had seen evidence of drug supply, and only 23% reported feeling safe in their own block.
Speaking about the closure order, Councillor Sarah Williams, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, said:
“This closure order is a vital step towards reclaiming our public spaces and ensuring the safety of residents. The success of this approach at Cordell House has demonstrated its effectiveness, and we are confident it will bring similar improvements to Rothbury Walk Estate. Everyone deserves to feel secure in their home, and we are committed to taking firm action against all crime and anti-social behaviour.”
Inspector Thomas Hassan of the Northumberland Park Safer Neighbourhoods Team echoed this sentiment, emphasising the strength of the collaborative approach:
“Rothbury Walk was highlighted as a particular area of concern that the community wanted us to collectively focus on. This partial closure order gives police the powers to remove those who do not live here but are intent on causing harm. I’d like to thank our local councillors, council officers, and above all, the residents themselves for their resilience and bravery in standing up for change.”
The closure order was secured through a court order at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court and is expected to set a new standard for how ASB is addressed in public housing settings. While immediate results are already being seen, the longer-term goal is to foster a lasting transformation in the estate’s atmosphere and quality of life.
Officers from both the council and police will continue to monitor the estate throughout the duration of the order, ensuring ongoing compliance and assessing the need for further support or interventions. Additional outreach and support services are also expected to be offered to residents to ensure that improvements are sustained well beyond the initial three-month enforcement period.
Residents are being encouraged to continue reporting any signs of ASB or unsafe activity, reinforcing the community-led approach to shaping a safer, more secure living environment for all.
The Rothbury Walk initiative forms part of Haringey’s wider strategy to tackle crime, improve housing standards, and empower residents to reclaim shared spaces. Authorities believe that building trust between public agencies and residents is key to making meaningful, long-term changes—and that the Rothbury Walk closure order is a promising step in that direction.
