“Drug Den” busted as Sutton Property is closed for 3 months
A flat on Priestsic Road, Sutton, described as a ‘crack den’ by residents has been closed by Ashfield District Council and Nottinghamshire Police.
A Closure Order was successfully granted at Nottingham Magistrates Court on Friday 3rd March 2023 after Class A and Class B drugs were seized from the property after a warrant was executed at the address last week.
The flat on Priestic Road, Sutton has been linked to high level crime, anti-social behaviour and drug activity leaving residents living in fear. It is one of several Closure Orders secured by the Council and Police in the past 6 months, who are leading the fight against anti-social behaviour and criminal activity across the District.
As a result of the concerns reported to the Council’s Community Safety Team and Nottinghamshire Police, swift action was taken to reassure the local community and obtain all relevant evidence to put an immediate stop to the issues. The order granted under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 prohibits access and will remain in force for 3 months.
The property has now been boarded up to prevent access. Any breaches of the order such as unauthorised access may result in prosecution proceedings which could result in a fine or imprisonment.
Samantha Deakin, Ward Councillor for Sutton Central and New Cross said:
“This is another prime example of how Councillors, the Council and Police are working together with local residents to tackle issues affecting their local communities and I would urge anyone concerned to keep reporting suspicious activity to us, so we can take positive action. I hope this sends a clear message to residents that crime and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated across Ashfield.’’
Antonio Taylor, Community Safety Manager at Ashfield District Council, added:
"I would like to thank all the witnesses and officers involved in this case to help obtain the order. Tackling and preventing drug harm is a priority for the Community Safety Partnership and we will continue to act on the concerns of our communities to disrupt drug supply and tackle serious and organised crime."
Jon Hewitt, Ashfield Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for Nottinghamshire Police said:
“The address had been raised to us by the local community due to concerns of drug dealing both at the property and in the immediate locality linked to the address. We have made arrests linked to this with the ultimate goal of investigations to hold those responsible to account at court."
