Drug dens cracked

Police target problem houses with help from community

Over the past couple of weeks Ealing Borough Police has continued to adopt a direct approach in their fight against Drugs and Anti social beahviour in Southall. 

The increased police activity seen in Southall recently is part of the ongoing intelligence led operations Ealing Borough Police have planned to reduce crime and disorder across Ealing Borough.

This latest high visibility policing operation held in the Southall on 28 th January 2005 resulted in 9 arrests.

During this latest operation Ealing Borough Police also raided a commercial premises, The KILIMANJARO CAFÉ, King Street, Southall, using powers under Part 1 of the Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) Act 2003.

This Act gives the police new powers to authorise the closure of premises used for unlawful drug use and apply to any premises, whether residential or not. This power can only be used in consultation with the local authority.

This is the first commercial premise the partnership has raided using the Act. Ealing Borough Police will now be attending Ealing Magistrates Court on 4 th February 2005 to apply for a closure order on the premises.

Over eighty Police personnel with assistance from other Metropolitan Police specialist units, such as the MPS Dogs unit, MPS Specialist Search teams and MPS Air Support were used throughout the operation.

Officers were also deployed to conduct high visibility police patrols around priority crime (Street Crime, Burglary and Motor Vehicle Crime), antisocial behaviour and drugs activity in the area during the operation.

CCTV was monitored by officers from Ealing Borough Police in Partnership with Ealing Council at the locations of current crime and disorder hotspots in the area to facilitate intelligence gathering on individuals known to police and monitor crime and disorder activities in the area.

This is the fourth time Ealing borough police have targeted this area to combat crime and disorder, the first successful operation occurred in December 2004.

During previous operations in the area, British Transport Police, Transport for London officers and London Borough of Ealing Community Wardens have also supported Ealing Borough Police on high visibility patrols and operational activities to detect crime, gather intelligence on crime and criminals, reduce antisocial behaviour, and provide community reassurance in the area. Crack houses at 121 Clarence Street, Southall (now closed) and 2 rooms in 12-14 Osterley Park Road (tenants concerned evicted) have also been carried out under the Act.

Over the next couple of months Ealing Borough Police and Ealing Council will continue to adopt a direct approach in their fight against Crime and disorder across Ealing Borough.

Superintendent Laura Nicholson Ealing Borough police states

�The aim of our increased operational activities is to reduce crime and disorder and make a visible difference to the area.

Over the last couple of months the quality of life and daily routines of the residents in Southall, has been disrupted by anti social behaviour activities and drugs use in the area. So much so that local residents have contacted the police and council over a period of time with detailed accounts of their experiences, observations and complaints in relation to the activities. The invaluable information received has proved pivotal to enabling the partnership to implement intelligence led operations such as this.

We are determined to tackle drugs and anti social behaviour in partnership with the community and other agencies to help make Ealing Borough a safer place to live, work and pass through.�

February 4, 2005