Fife Police said today the move reaffirmed their stance on anti-social behaviour and their commitment to creating safer neighbourhoods.

The Closure Order was granted by Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court under the new Anti-Social Behaviour Act.

The Order is secured when premises have been linked for at least three months with serious and persistent anti-social behaviour causing harm to other people.

It means the offender will be prevented from returning to his home for at least three months. Police can apply to extend the order for a further three months if they believe the situation will start up again.

The 18-year-old was living in a block of four flats where elderly neighbours included a 98-year-old, whose health has been affected by the youth’s actions.

The disruption caused by up to 20 people congregating in his flat at one time, and the constant playing of loud music, affected the community so much that local councillor Andrew Keddie chaired a 60-strong public meeting on the matter.

An interim Anti-Social Behaviour Order was taken out against the offender, but he made it clear he had no intention of abiding by its terms.

Superintendent Tony Fitzpatrick, who co-ordinates Fife Police’s campaign against anti-social behaviour, said, “I am delighted at the outcome of this case, mainly because those elderly people, who have put up with this intolerable situation for a long time, will finally be able to get some peace and quiet.

“These cases are quite difficult to deal with in many ways, as people feel intimidated and frightened to make formal complaints.

“The police have been monitoring this situation in Leven as it developed. Because the neighbours continued to keep us informed, we were able to build up a very strong case to allow us to make use of the new powers in the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2004 and obtain a closure order.

“We hope this will send out a strong message to the law-abiding members of the community that the police and Fife Council will take action against those who continually behave in a way that destroys the quality of life of others.

“The consequence could be that the offenders find themselves out of their home until they can behave properly.”

Councillor Keddie, who chairs the Fife Community Safety Partnership, said he was also delighted at the sheriff’s ruling.

“This new power will aid and assist us in preventing anti-social behaviour in the communities of Fife.

“I hope that peace and quiet will now return to the elderly people and other neighbours who have suffered so much from this young man’s behaviour,” he said.

Fife Council housing management team leader Gerry McGloin said, “We very much welcome this development, which demonstrates this type of nuisance in our communities will not be tolerated.

“We have worked closely with the police for some time in securing this first closure order in Scotland, gathering evidence of the disruption this individual was causing his elderly neighbour.

“It must come as a great relief that peace and quiet will finally reign.”

Mr McGloin added, “In this particular case, the individual concerned has made his own arrangements for accommodation.

“This is new legislation and detailed procedures for future cases are in the process of being developed through our Anti-Social Behaviour task group.”