A crack house in Bermondsey has been closed down by Southwark Council and the Metropolitan Police after residents raised concerns about drug use and antisocial behaviour.

The property, located in Tissington Court, was closed down under Section 2 of the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 after it was found to be used in connection with the unlawful use, production and supply of a Class A controlled drug. A catalogue of complaints from residents was lodged to the police and the council about drug use in children’s playing areas, noise, human waste and abandoned drug paraphernalia and vandalism in the quiet residential block .

After several warnings and offers of support from Southwark Council, a closure order was  obtained in November 2013.

Following this the council obtained a Possession Order from the County Court to permanently evict the tenant from his home, which will now be made available to a more deserving homeseeker.

Southwark Council, who has recently reshaped its services to improve the ways it deals with antisocial behaviour complaints, has issued almost 80 closure orders, in partnership with the police, in the last five years, five of which have been obtained this year alone.

Councillor Richard Livingstone, cabinet member for community safety, said: “The residents of Tissington Court were made to endure an awful campaign of criminality and disturbances at the hands of one resident and his associates.

“By taking out this closure order and subsequently evicting this tenant, we want a clear message to be sent that we will not stand for crime and anti social behaviour on our estates.

“I would like to thank the residents of Tissington Court for reporting the crimes. Without their full support this issue would have persisted and many more would have been made to feel vulnerable and intimated in their homes. To anyone else experiencing serious antisocial behaviour in their community, please do come forward for support in resolving the issue.”

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