11/12/2008 : Tokyngton Ward Brings Peace to Residents

A property that was used for drug dealing has been shut down (04.12.08) by the Tokyngton Safer Neighbourhoods Team in consultation with Brent Council and Brent Housing Partnership (BHP).

The crack house at an address in Alexandra Court, Empire Way, Wembley 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, Brent Anti-social Behaviour Team and BHP took action after receiving numerous complaints and reports of ASB from local residents highlighting the following problems:

• Class A Drug Paraphernalia
• Harassment & Intimidation by visitors to above property
• Noise nuisance
• Prostitution
• Used syringes & needles found in communal areas

Sergeant Liam Tierney from Toykynton Safer Neighbourhoods Team said, "This address had been a crime generator for months. With the help of residents we have taken action to improve the lives of everyone in the block and send a clear message that Tokyngton will take whatever action necessary to tackle drug crime and improve the lives of residents."

"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 www.met.police.uk/brent for more information or call 0300 1231212."

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 Alexandra Court from the problems they have experienced."

BHP's Director of Housing Management Sandra Royer 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 8 451 5050 to report ASB on their estate. "