Police close Exeter 'crack house'

Police have secured a Crack House Closure Order on a property in Exeter after police received numerous complaints about drug dealing at the property.

The matter was heard before Exeter Magistrates’ Court today (17 July) where evidence was given in relation to the high level of antisocial behaviour endured by local residents living near 84 Chaucer Grove, in the Polsloe area of the city.

After hearing the evidence and representations, the magistrates were satisfied that a closure order was necessary and ordered the property to be boarded up and closed immediately for a period of three months.

Officers served official full closure order notices on the tenants and landlord of the property preventing any other person from accessing the premises.

This closure order followed numerous reports from members of the public in the areas around Chaucer Grove, Beacon Avenue, Polsloe Bridge and Monks Road of constant drug dealing, which took place up to 30 times a day.

Between March and July 2014, complaints were made to police relating to overt drug dealing activity in and around the property and in areas where children play, drugs paraphernalia such as needles being found in the street and play parks, people fighting over drug debts and increased traffic and noise from buyers waiting.

Before the full closure order was obtained, the police, council, housing provider Magna Housing, and the local community worked together to gather evidence for the court.

Evidence was gathered from the community over the last month which resulted in an initial Crack House Closure Notice, under the Section 1 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, being served on the address on the same day as the warrant was executed.
This was a temporary closure on the address whereby only the registered tenant could reside there.

PC Carlo Towl, neighbourhood beat manager for Heavitree, Polsloe and Whipton, said: “Police, Magna Housing and Exeter City Council have worked extremely hard in partnership to ensure the anti-social behaviour caused from the use of this address as a base for drug supply is stopped.

“It has caused great upset and intimidation in the area for almost six months and the residents just want to be able to live their lives without fear every time they leave the house.

“I would like to thank the local community for their assistance with this and I hope that this closure order will reduce the chances of the address being used again for such activities.

“Let this be a warning to others in the city who may be allowing their address to be used for the purposes of drug supply. Not only could they face arrest and prosecution, but police could potentially obtain a closure for their property and render them homeless.”

Steve Stewart, anti-social behaviour co-ordinator for Exeter, said: “The police, as part of the Exeter Community Safety Partnership, have worked extremely hard in this case and the successful application in court has resulted in the victims being allowed to live their lives in peace.

“Nobody should have to live with this kind of behaviour on a daily basis and the partnership will continue to identify any other cases of anti-social behaviour and take appropriate action where necessary.”