A WINCHESTER shop selling legal highs has today been closed down by police after a spate of complaints about crime and anti-social behaviour.

Southampton magistrates granted a closure order after police said customers of Head High in Stockbridge Road were responsible for a large number of problems in surrounding streets.

These included people having sex, urinating in car parks and shoplifting to feed their addiction to legal highs, the court heard.

Louise Ravenscroft, representing the police, said: “These are problems that have only arisen since the shop opened. Everything is attributed to these premises, which is why they should be closed.”

The city centre business is run by Gurmail Bhakar.

Miss Ravenscroft told the court that Mr Bhakar had misled the shop’s owner, Michael Fish, by claiming that he intended to use the building as a clothes store.

She added that the closure order was supported by the people of Winchester, including other traders in the Stockbridge Road area.

The three-month order, which was not contested, takes effect immediately.

Mr Bhakar’s lease expires in three months, which means Head High has shut for good, the court heard.