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10 Feb 2012
Suspected drugs den shut down
Police in Warrington worked with residents to
successfully close down a suspected drugs den in
the town.
Warrington Magistrates′ Court approved a Closure Order
(also known as a crackhouse closure) in relation to a house in East
Avenue after hearing a catalogue of evidence from police.
The Order was made under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003,
which allows the closure of premises used in connection with the
production, supply or use of Class A drugs and associated with the
occurrence of disorder or serious nuisance.
The property, a semi-detached house, is
privately owned. The tenants, a mother and her teenage
son, had to leave the property and all windows and doors will be
boarded up for at least three months.
Anyone who enters the house during that time is
committing an offence and can be
arrested.
Superintendent Martin Cleworth said:
The decision taken by the court will put a stop to the
anti-social behaviour that has blighted the lives of local
residents.
It should serve as a warning that people who
choose to behave in this way can lose their homes as a consequence
of their behaviour.
We hope that the actions of police and partners from within the
Warrington Community Safety Partnership send out a clear message
that we will not tolerate any sort of behaviour that has a negative
effect on the quality of life of others.
It is important to note that the action taken was not a
knee-jerk reaction − it has been carefully considered
following consultation with partner agencies and our force
solicitor.
We will continue to work with the tenants to
try and address any ongoing issues and to ensure that the relevant
advice and support services are available to them.
- Superintendent Martin Cleworth
The property will remain boarded up until at least February
2012.
Sergeant Carla Bingley, of Warrington Central
NPU
, said:
This is a positive and pro-active response to ongoing concerns
raised by the local community. This Closure Order is another
example of the efforts being made by Cheshire Police to tackle
anti-social behaviour and the effects it has on local
communities.
We hope that the efforts of the local policing team are
helping to reassure residents that we are
listening to what they are saying and will take positive action
against anyone engaged in illegal activities.
We are committed to tackling drug related crime and disorder and
anti-social behaviour and we will all continue to work together to
tackle both the causes and effects of drugs misuse.
We would all like to thank the local community for its continued
support − and, in particular, to those people who gave the
information, which led to this closure.
- Sergeant Carla Bingley, Warrington Central NPU
Anyone with any information in relation to drug related crime in
Warrington can call Cheshire Police on 101 or
Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
