Crack House Closure

Thematic Work Area: ASB

What was the need?

Intelligence was being received since 2005 about Drugs and Drug dealing from this address. There was an increase in Crime and Anti Social Behaviour and this raised the fear of Crime.

What have we done?

We consulted with the community and gained intelligence. This was then used to execute warrants under the misuse of drugs act. (5 in total)

Social Services, Safer North Devon and North Devon Homes were consulted and asked to assist with interventions.

Letters and then a subsequent Acceptable Behaviour Order under the Anti Social Behaviour Order escalation were issued to the occupants. North Devon Homes served the occupants with eviction notices.

Individuals were identified to be potential witnesses. (5 were identified and provided statements)

Force legal were consulted with a view to serve closure notice papers.

A PACT survey was done in the area to gauge public opinion, 90% of the immediate community stated that drugs and drug dealing was their number 1 priority and concern, some making direct references to 3 Poltimore Lawn.

What are the results of our work?

All this evidence collated and a closure notice was served on 13th October 2008. A subsequent full 3 month closure order was issued by North Devon Magistrates on 29th October 2008.

The Community were delighted and the fear of crime dropped. The area appeared much calmer and crime dropped by over 50% whilst the closure order was in place.

North Devon Homes gained possession of the property in January 2009.