A BEDSIT raided by drugs squad detectives on Monday has been sealed by order of Swindon magistrates.

JPs signed the three-month closure order banning all but tenant Ryan Price, council officers and the emergency services from going into the Oxford Street bedsit.

The bench heard that Mr Price, 29, was highly dependent on class A drugs and also suffered from a number of other health problems.

There were now a handful of closure orders in place in the Railway Village, an area targeted by County Lines gangs and local groups dealing hard drugs.

The gangs were moving from one address to another as they were closed by police, PC Michael Diffin told magistrates.

Mr Price, who was arrested on Monday on suspicion of supplying drugs, was said to support Wiltshire Police’s application.

PC Diffin said: “He realises he cannot control his property himself.”

The council was looking at longer-term solutions, including moving Mr Price to another address.

A Wiltshire Police spokeswoman said: “Closure orders are a fantastic way to both protect the resident at the property concerned, and disrupt the criminal activity of the drug network.

"We regularly obtain orders of this nature – it enables us to work with partner agencies not only protect the occupant of the address, but to also prevent crime and anti-social behaviour in the area for local residents.”