News
02-05-06, 09:27 PM
CARLISLE magistrates have ordered the shutting down of a suspected drugs den under so-called 'crack house' closure legislation.
The house in Belmont Road, Upperby, was boarded up and sealed off yesterday after magistrates ruled the house was causing nuisance and disorder to neighbours.
Cumbria Police used new anti-social behaviour legislation to try to stamp out suspected drug dealing at the house following a string of complaints from the community.
During a two-hour hearing, Carlisle magistrates were told that drug-using equipment such as spoons, burnt tin foil and syringes were found during a raid on 32-year-old Andrew Ford's home last February. The raid came after a series of incidents such as stones being thrown, noise and disturbances.
Community officer for Upperby and Currock, PC Mark Ritson, said residents were worried because people were visiting Ford's home at all times of the day and night. He said: "There was real concern from the community about what was going on.
"On one occasion I stopped a known drug user as he was leaving the house, who was clearly intoxicated although he did not smell of alcohol."
The court was told of how the nuisance became so bad that one neighbour had given up the tenancy on his home and left the area.
Ford, who represented himself in court after magistrates refused to adjourn the case to allow him to get legal advice, said the order would leave him back on the streets.
He said: "This order has come three months too late. Last month I was made subject of a drug treatment and testing order which says I will go to prison if I don't stay off drugs.
"This order will send me back to the gutter.
"I know many of my neighbours and get on well with them and they are all worried about my well-being. I'm making a serious effort to turn my life around."
Ford was convicted of attempting to supply heroin in March and handed a two-year community punishment order, which included a drug rehabilitation requirement for six months.
The closure order, which was supported by Carlisle Housing Association, will shut the house for three months.
The court hearing followed the start of the police operation on Wednesday when officers arrived at the house and pinned a notice to the door stating their intentions to close it.
So-called "crack house" closures are carried out to both thwart the sale of drugs and to try to end the misery neighbours have to endure living next door to dealers.
Officers target homes suspected of being used for the supply, use or making of class-A drugs, such as heroin.
News Source
http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/crime_r..._police_action/ (http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/crime_related/carck_house_closed_after_police_action/)
The house in Belmont Road, Upperby, was boarded up and sealed off yesterday after magistrates ruled the house was causing nuisance and disorder to neighbours.
Cumbria Police used new anti-social behaviour legislation to try to stamp out suspected drug dealing at the house following a string of complaints from the community.
During a two-hour hearing, Carlisle magistrates were told that drug-using equipment such as spoons, burnt tin foil and syringes were found during a raid on 32-year-old Andrew Ford's home last February. The raid came after a series of incidents such as stones being thrown, noise and disturbances.
Community officer for Upperby and Currock, PC Mark Ritson, said residents were worried because people were visiting Ford's home at all times of the day and night. He said: "There was real concern from the community about what was going on.
"On one occasion I stopped a known drug user as he was leaving the house, who was clearly intoxicated although he did not smell of alcohol."
The court was told of how the nuisance became so bad that one neighbour had given up the tenancy on his home and left the area.
Ford, who represented himself in court after magistrates refused to adjourn the case to allow him to get legal advice, said the order would leave him back on the streets.
He said: "This order has come three months too late. Last month I was made subject of a drug treatment and testing order which says I will go to prison if I don't stay off drugs.
"This order will send me back to the gutter.
"I know many of my neighbours and get on well with them and they are all worried about my well-being. I'm making a serious effort to turn my life around."
Ford was convicted of attempting to supply heroin in March and handed a two-year community punishment order, which included a drug rehabilitation requirement for six months.
The closure order, which was supported by Carlisle Housing Association, will shut the house for three months.
The court hearing followed the start of the police operation on Wednesday when officers arrived at the house and pinned a notice to the door stating their intentions to close it.
So-called "crack house" closures are carried out to both thwart the sale of drugs and to try to end the misery neighbours have to endure living next door to dealers.
Officers target homes suspected of being used for the supply, use or making of class-A drugs, such as heroin.
News Source
http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/crime_r..._police_action/ (http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/crime_related/carck_house_closed_after_police_action/)