Drake Court Drug Den Closed by Police

---

Occupier awaits trial at Crown Court

A flat in Drake Court in Shepherd's Bush which had been used for storing and using drugs has been closed and secured by police.

Shepherds Bush Safer Neighbourhoods Team, working in partnership with Hammersmith and Fulham Council and Hammersmith and Fulham Homes obtained an anti social behaviour closure order on Thursday November 4 for the flat in Drake Court, on Scott's Road.

Police say the venue was the subject of anti social behaviour at different times of the day and drugs were being stored and used on the premises.

On June 2 this year, police raided the flat and seized a large quantity of cannabis. Three youths were arrested at the venue and the occupier was arrested the next day. He is currently awaiting trial at Crown Court for drug offences.

On October 27, police raided the flat for the second time. No arrests were made on this occasion, but an Anti Social Behaviour Closure Order was formally served.

This order was contested at court and on November 4, a District Judge at West London Magistrates Court granted a three month closure order.

The premises have now been secured and anyone trying to regain entry will be subject to arrest. Hammersmith and Fulham Homes now intend to take back control of the premises.

Sergeant Finbar King from Shepherds Bush SNT Team said: " We were made aware of problems on the estate with youths causing anti-social behaviour in stairwells by local residents, the local authority and Hammersmith and Fulham Homes.

" We have responded to these concerns by putting in extra patrols, better use of existing dispersal for the area, and intelligence led drugs raids on various addresses."

A Police Spokeswoman from Hammersmith and Fulham said: " This is another good example of how we can achieve results by working in close partnership with other stakeholders.

"We will work together using the legislation available to close down premises that cause distress to other law abiding residents."

November 9, 2010