A Dalston phone box has been served with a three-month closure order normally reserved for troubled clubs and pubs.

It’s the first time a telephone kiosk has been shut down in Hackney, but the council and police worked together to obtain the notice after receiving complaints from fed-up residents. Reports included late-night drug deals, drug taking, prostitution, antisocial behaviour and excessive noise.

The council’s Drug and Alcohol Assertive Response Team accompanied police to observe activities taking place around the phone box, in Kingsland Road, and agreed there was a problem.

Pc Richard Lewington, of Dalston Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT), said closing the kiosk had been an “unusual case”, but added: “There is no doubt that the antisocial activities taking place in and around the phone kiosk were having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of local residents. Dalston SNT is committed to listening to residents and tackling crime and antisocial behaviour in the area.”