Officers from Greater Manchester Police have served a closure order on a "crack house" in Atherton.
After receiving information provided by the local community, a file of evidence was laid before Wigan Magistrates' Court on Thursday 8 July 2010.
The notice was served on the house on Spring Gardens, using the powers and procedures provided by the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003.
This power allows police, working in consultation with local authorities, to tackle 'crack houses' and other locations that cause disorder and serious disruption to the local community through its association with Class A drugs.
Officers from the Atherton Neighbourhood Policing Team, working alongside Wigan and Leigh Housing (the Landlord for the address), went to the house and a sweep of the address was conducted.
Water, gas and electricity supplies to the property were isolated, steel shutters were placed over all the doors and windows and large notices were then stuck onto the shutters, explaining why the house has been closed down.
Leaflets have also been distributed to local residents to inform them of the action that has been taken.
Anyone who goes into the house is committing an offence and can be arrested if they enter the building.
Inspector Liz Sanderson said: "We believe this closure sends out a message that will not tolerate drug dealing in our communities.
"Houses where drugs are used blight an area and are a real cause for concern for local residents.
"We are determined to tackle all sorts of anti-social behaviour in Wigan, including the constant noise and discarded needles, which go hand in hand with these kinds of places and cause such distress to local people.
"This closure would not have happened without the help from the local community and I would like to thank those people who gave the initial information which led to this closure. We will continue to work together to stop people who act in this way."
Councillor Fred Walker, Cabinet Member for Wigan and Leigh Housing said: "This is a great result for those residents who have been affected by this behaviour. We are being told by our tenants that dealing effectively with antisocial behaviour is a top priority for them and that is what we are trying to do.
"We are working more closely with our partner agencies across the police and the council (namely neighbourhood teams) to ensure that together, we are doing all we can to deal with this problem on our estates.
"This action follows hot on the heels of two other enforcement cases which has seen a drug dealer evicted and an unruly tenant sent to prison for breaching an antisocial behaviour injunction. We are determined to send this clear message to our residents that serious antisocial behaviour and criminality will not be tolerated in our properties.
"As a further step as of autumn this year we are introducing a new housing allocations policy and anyone causing serious antisocial behaviour will find it very difficult to get a house from us in the future."
Anyone who has information about any type of criminal or anti-social activity is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously if you wish, on 0800 555 111.
Comments