Press Release

Crackhouse is shut down

February 2008

A CRACKHOUSE has been closed down by police following dozens of complaints from nearby residents.

The flat in Redwood Court, off Hazellville Road, Archway, first came to the attention of police when a neighbour reported that it was being used by a man dealing drugs.

Other residents also complained that the occupant was allowing the use of class A drugs, and that the addicts were making life a misery.

Police raided the flat at the end of November and found crack pipes, burnt tin foil, cellophane wraps and digital scales.

On January 10 the occupant was sectioned under the Mental Health Act, and now officers from the Hillrise Safer Neighbourhood Team have secured the first crackhouse closure on their ward following an investigation.

Sergeant Dean Akinola, of the Hillrise team, said: "This closure is a result of good partnership working between the Hillrise Safer Neighbourhood Team, Islington Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Team, Homes for Islington and residents.

We will continue to act on information received from the local community."

The flat is now boarded up and police say there has been an 80 per cent reduction in anti-social behaviour since the closure.