Havant: Crack Den Shut Down By Police

8 August 2014, 12:30 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

As part of Operation Fortress police have obtained a Crack House Closure Order for an address in Leigh Park, Havant.

The order was granted by magistrates on Thursday, August 7.

Portsmouth magistrates issued a closure order against 281 Soberton Road, Leigh Park under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

The order means that no-one can enter the property for three months, and during this time, it is a criminal offence for anyone to enter the address unless authorised by police.

Police say drug use and anti-social behaviour had been reported at the address, having a significant effect on people living nearby.
 
Local officer Sgt Tony Botten said:

"This closure order has been a result of working with Portsmouth City Council, who own the property, and local residents.
 
"This work is part of the Fortress campaign which brings together police, councils, drug treatment and support services and voluntary groups to find long term solutions to restricting the supply of drugs, reducing demand and rebuilding communities.
 
"Our aim is to protect vulnerable people while making Leigh Park a hostile place for criminals coming here to deal drugs and threaten, intimidate or harm others.
 
"If you are concerned about drug-related crime where you live, please contact us. The support we receive from local people is vital in helping us make our communities safer and every piece of information is greatly appreciated."
 
Portsmouth City Council's Housing Management anti-social behaviour co-ordinator Gerry McDougall said:

"Portsmouth City Council will not tolerate the use of any of its properties for illegal purposes, including selling drugs on its housing estates, and we work proactively with the police and other agencies on this.

"The majority of our tenants are decent, law-abiding citizens and we will continue to work hard to keep them and their children safe from those who deal drugs in our community".
 
Anyone with information relating to drug-related activity or anti-social behaviour should contact their local Safer Neighbourhoods team on 101.