11/08/2008 : Crack house closed brings peace to residents

A property that was used for drug dealing has been shut down (23.07.08) by the Fryent Safer Neighbourhoods Team in consultation with Brent Council and Brent Housing Partnership (BHP).

The crack house at an address in Hartgrove Court, 19 Elmwood Crescent , NW9 was served with a closure notice by the police following reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and drug abuse. The closure order is for three months.

Police, council and BHP took action after receiving numerous complaints and reports of ASB from local residents highlighting the following problems: 

• class A drug paraphernalia;
• harassment and intimidation to residents by visitors to the property; 
• nuisance Noise;
• vandalism.

Sergeant Gary Pidgeon, Fryent Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: "Working in partnership with a number of agencies and local residents we have been able to obtain sufficient evidence to close this property under the crack house legislation. Local residents have been subject to noise nuisance, vandalism and drug users visiting the address at all hours. This work should improve the quality of life for the residents of Hartgrove Court.

"If you are experiencing problems of anti-social behaviour in your area, please let your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team know about it, please go to

Brent Police homepage for more information or call 020 7372 1212 to find your local team."Councillor Hayley Matthews, Lead Member for Crime Prevention and Public Safety said:

"Brent Council is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour. We want all Brent residents to feel and be safe and work closely with our partners to achieve this aim. I hope that this crack house closure will relieve the residents of Hartgrove Court from the problems they have experienced. "
BHP Managing Director Helen Evans said: "Our aim is to make the estates and buildings we manage safer and better places to live and by working closely with residents and our partners we are making steps towards achieving that aim.

"We hope that examples such as this case encourage residents to come forward if they are having problems with ASB and also act as a deterrent to those involved in illegal or anti social behaviour in BHP managed properties.

"Residents can contact our Anti-Social Behaviour team on 020 8937 2951 or our Wardens Service on 020 8451 5050 to report ASB on their estate. "