A full closure order has been served on a derelict block of flats in Egremont after numerous incidents of anti-social and criminal behaviour.

Wirral Council's anti-social behaviour team and Merseyside Police obtained the order for Charter House on Union Street.

The order was sought after complaints from the local community that people were gaining entry to the derelict building, causing damage, lighting fires and engaging in other forms of criminal or anti-social behaviour.

Complaints about the property from members of the public were received on June 28 this year.

After consulting with different agencies and the landlord, officers decided that a Closure Order would be an effective way to address the problem.

The closure order granted will be in place for three months, expiring on November 3 November 2022.

It prohibits anyone from entering the property unless they have permission to do so from the Anti-Social Behaviour Team.

Anyone found in the property with no legal entitlement to be there could be arrested and liable for a prison sentence of up to six months, a fine of up to £5,000 – or both.

Officers will be writing to residents of Church Street and Union Street to advise them of the closure order and ask them to report any breaches of the conditions of the order that they might see.