A FLAT in Salisbury has been ordered to close after a “terrified” couple were forced to take on a relative’s drug debt and were exploited by dealers.

Drug dealers moved into 2 Charter Court, Gigant Road, rented by Justin Cooper and his partner Sally Webb last year after a payment of a debt left by Mr Cooper's brother was demanded.

Salisbury magistrates’ court on Monday heard that the gang was known as the Major Gang, from London, and was said to have a network of around 300 people.

Wiltshire Council solicitor Andrew Kamosa said: “These people move into this flat of previously using drug addicts and threatened them to be able to stay. Then they are able to sell their wares.”

Mr Kamosa said that Mr Cooper’s brother, Brendan, was jailed in December for three years and four months' imprisonment and subject to a five-year criminal behaviour order for selling drugs.

The court heard that the gang went to the couple’s flat and claiming they owed £3,000 “otherwise they were going get” them.

“We are talking about knives and machetes,” Mr Kamosa said.

He added that the £3,000 debt was owed by Brendan Cooper before he was jailed.

Wiltshire Council working with the police and housing association Sanctuary Housing were granted the Closure Order.

Mr Kamosa added: “The couple are in support of this. They are terrified.”

The closure order was granted by magistrate Michael New, following a temporary closure notice issued on December 15.

The order prohibits anyone other than the tenants from entering the address for a period of three months. Anyone found in the premises by officers will be arrested.

Sergeant John Hutchings said: “These orders are an important tool in the disruption of this activity and assist us greatly in the safeguarding of some of our most vulnerable residents who are all too often, subjected to intimidation and violence by members of Dangerous Drug Networks in their efforts to secure bases from which to deal their drugs.

“We will not tolerate this behaviour and our community policing teams and dedicated crime teams continue to target these individuals within our city and where possible, arrest these individuals and put them before the courts.”