Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB Published: 24 October 2008
Police shut down crack house
POLICE have closed a crack house in Highbury after neighbours complained of anti-social behaviour by drug users. The address, in Catherall Road, is just one of several homes on the Highbury Quadrant estate being monitored by police. Officers requested permission to close the property after finding seven crack pipes and other evidence of drug use during a raid in August.
After hearing anonymous evidence from residents, Highbury magistrates issued a closure order on Friday.
The house will now remain shut for three months while Homes for Islington pursues court action to evict the tenant permanently. A Highbury East Safer Neighbourhoods police team investigating drug use and anti-social behaviour is targeting other addresses in Highbury Quadrant and Highbury New Park in the hope of securing further closure orders.
A survey of residents in Highbury East ward revealed that drug-related, anti-social behaviour was their biggest concern. Sergeant Colin Francis, of the Highbury East team, said: “We are aware some residents are concerned about drug use. I would like to reassure them we are taking strong decisive action by shutting down addresses connected to drugs and anti-social behaviour.”
Town Hall Lib Dem housing and crime chief Councillor Terry Stacy said: “Our estate residents deserve to live their lives without having to put up with drugs.”