Bracknell

For the third time in Bracknell, police and their partners have closed a “crack house” using the Anti-Social Behaviour Act of 2003.

The closure of the flat in Mount Lane, Bullbrook, on Thursday 8 March was the result of close co-operation between Bracknell police officers, the Community Safety Team at Bracknell Forest Borough Council and Southern Housing Group.

An order to close down the property was granted at Bracknell Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning (8/3), where PC Jon Morris, neighbourhood officer for Bullbrook, gave evidence.

The property will now remain boarded up for three months and anyone caught inside, or attempting to get in, will be arrested. Police can return to court and get an extension of the closure order for a further three months if necessary.

Insp Simon Bowden, who has worked closely with Sgt Graham Smith and PC Morris, Bracknell neighbourhood officers, to bring about the closure of the premises, said: “The flat in Mount Lane was being used for dealing Class A drugs, and was directly linked to dealers coming to Bracknell from the London area. People using the property were causing alarm and distress to neighbours, including excessive noise, comings and goings at all hours and threatening behaviour.

“On two occasions, we have carried out search warrants at the flat and recovered substantial amounts of heroin and crack cocaine.”

No-one was in the flat in Mount Lane when police arrived to close it down, and no arrests were made at the time, although two people had been arrested previously after a search warrant at the address.

Ian Boswell, community safety manager for Bracknell Forest Borough Council, said: “Any initiative that increases public safety and reduces the fear of crime is welcomed, and will be actively supported by Bracknell Forest Borough Council in any way possible.

“The Bracknell Forest Safer Communities Partnership has made provisions for people with drug problems to access services locally. Help and information is available from ‘New Hope’ – Bracknell’s drug advice and information centre based in The Broadway, Bracknell. People should not wait until their lives are taken over by drugs or drug dealers before seeking help.”

Cllr Peter North, Executive Member for Bracknell Public Protection and Services, said: “Once again our local policing and community safety teams have worked very well together. Their success has brought relief to the residents who were suffering in this area.

"Bracknell remains a target for drug dealers. London is awash with drugs by comparison to our area. We know we are a target market for drugs dealers and I would ask anyone who sees suspicious activity to report it. My grateful thanks to all those who helped on this occasion, a job well done, yet again.”

Jillian Hunt, DAAT Coordinator at Bracknell Forest Borough Council, added: "This is yet another step in the right direction for stamping out drug dealing in Bracknell Forest. We don't have a huge problem in the borough but this third crack house closure proves that we will not tolerate the small level of drug dealing that does go on.

"Help and advice is available locally for anyone who has a drug or alcohol addiction and I would urge anyone who is concerned about an addiction to seek help from us immediately."

Guy Collar, South Region Director for Southern Housing Group, which owns the flat, said: “Southern Housing Group is pleased to be able to help the police in these matters and will continue to work in close partnership to ensure the safety of our residents.

"We will now be seeking a County Court possession order to obtain an eviction and repossess the property."

Insp Bowden added: “This is the third crack house we have closed in Bracknell. The decision to use this legislation is an important part of the coordinated response to drug-fuelled criminality in the Bracknell area.

“Activities such as those that took place in Mount Lane will not be tolerated. I want to get the message across that anyone who lets people into their property for the purpose of dealing drugs will face legal action and the closure of their premises.

“We will continue to use all the powers given to us by current legislation to improve the quality of life for the community in Bracknell.

“The public can help us by providing information about people and premises involved in crime. Call us on 0845 8 505 505, or if you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell