The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Action plan for drug den houses
The city council and police will work together to tackle drug misuse and other issues in a row of boarded up houses.
The homes, in Cromwell Road just yards from the Queensgate bus station have been a magnet for anti-social issuessincebeingboardedup– with drug issues being a major problem in the area.
Graffitihasbeensprayedon many of the homes, and there are also signs of fire damage at some of the properties.
Now authorities are looking to take action – not only to tackle the crime issues, but also to support homeless people whohavebeensquattinginthe properties.
A spokesman for Peterborough City Council said more secure boarding would also be installed to prevent further issues occurring in the future, oncesquattershavebeenevicted. Temporary accommodation has been made available to some people who have been living in the properties.
The spokesman said: “We are currently waiting on the court order so we can evict the current squatters.
"Oncethisisdonewewillbe steel boarding up all the properties to prevent any further break-ins and anti-social behaviour.
"Our Rough Sleeper Outreach team have been offering support to any eligible rough sleeperswithintheproperties. We have already offered temporary accommodation to a number of them.”
Sgt Steve Rose, from Cambridgeshire police, said they had not received many calls aboutissuesinthearearecently – but officers were aware.
He said : “We are aware of a row of derelict properties in Cromwell Road that are regularly being used for drug and other substance misuse.
“We are working with the local authority to find a solution to the issue and have visitedthesitewithrepresentatives from a local charity who help the homeless.”
Meanwhile, two properties in Woodston have been partially closed for the next three months following a drugs operation held last week.
The orders were served on 80OrchardStreetand39Grove Court by the local Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) on Thursdayevening(5May)after a successful application to PeterboroughMagistrates’Court fortheorderstobeinplaceuntil 4 August.
The orders state the premises are subject to closure orders because a person has engaged in, or is likely to engage in disorderly, offensive, or criminal behaviour on the premises and use of the premises has or is likely to result in serious nuisance to members of the public.
They prohibit any person from entering the premises other than the legal tenants and specified individuals, managers of the properties from Cross Keys Homes and emergency service workers.
Sgt Sam Tucker, from the southern NPT in Peterborough, said: “An operation was held in Woodston in response to concerns from the local community around drug dealingandassociatedcriminality, whichresultedinthreearrests and evidence being found of clear drug use and suspected dealing.
“These partial closures are further measures we have taken in order to put a stop to the activity and provide further reassurance to our communities that we are listening to their concerns.”