CLOSURE orders like the one slapped on an Oxford Street bedsit this week help prevent crime, it has been claimed.

The Railway Village home, which was raided by drugs detectives on Monday, was sealed to all except tenant Ryan Price, council workers and 999 crews. It followed concerns that Mr Price was being exploited by gangs.

Sgt David Tippetts said: “Closure orders of this nature enable us to protect the resident, and prevent drugs gangs entering the property and exploiting vulnerable people.

“The order will remain in place for three months – during this time we will continue to work with partner agencies including Swindon Borough Council, to come up with a long term solution to the problem.

"This is the 26th order of this nature that has been obtained so far this year in Swindon. These are extremely effective ways of preventing crime associated with an address as well as protecting the resident who is very often vulnerable to being cuckooed."