Southmead Crack house ordered to close

A three month crack house closure order was granted today on a flat on Greystoke Avenue in Southmead by Bristol Magistrates Court.

Neighbours had complained about suspected drug-dealing, threatening behaviour of residents and streams of intimidating visitors to the flat at all hours of the night and day. When police raided the property in August they found drugs paraphernalia at the property and evidence of drug taking.

Sergeant Matt Britton said: "We're really pleased that we managed to gain a crack house closure on this property because so many neighbours had complained that it was making their lives a misery.

"Local residents and businesses told us that they had had enough and some told us that they were planning to leave their homes to get away from the noise and intimidating characters coming and going from the property. Clearly no one should have to tolerate this in their home."

The closure order issued at court today meant that police officers and council officials were able to go straight for court to the flat to board it up. No one will be able to enter of leave the property during the next three months but the resident will still have to pay their rent on the property.

Sergeant Matt Britton said: "We hope that this crack house closure sends a strong message to criminals. We won't tolerate people who are drug dealing and making lives miserable for their neighbours and we will be relentless in resolving the issues that are affecting communities."

"The closure of this house will have a really positive impact on the community, and will bring relief to the long-suffering neighbours. We hope that this action will give the community confidence in the Police's ongoing efforts to tackle drugs and anti-social behaviour."

If you have information about drug-dealing and anti-social behaviour in your area contact police on 101 in a non-emergency or 999 in an emergency or you can contact crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.