A man living next to a drug den in Nottingham said he "has smelt weed before" as the property has now been boarded up by police. The force said the address in Phoenix Close, The Meadows, became a magnet for criminal activity and blighted the lives of nearby residents.
Officers boarded up the house and evicted the tenant on Thursday, April 13 and successfully applied for a closure order at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court. This means it an offence for anyone to enter or remain on the premises with the exception of emergency services, the landlord or authorised representative.
John Colebrooke, a retired resident living nearby, said: "We have smelt weed here in the past. Police went there in the past.
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"I am not surprised that they have taken some action - we have smelt weed before. I have seen people hanging around - and things getting passed around.
"I try not to notice too much", he added. "I have seen some people waiting for drugs to be delivered."
The 71-year-old said: "I think I know enough to recognise what drug dealing is. Hopefully it will not happen again here."
Cornelia Marin, who moved to the area earlier last year, added: "I am shocked. I came here September last year from London.
"I am surprised because I thought it is a nice area. It is shocking."
The 53-year-old, who works as a chef, added: "I have seen police in the area before and thought nothing of it. I am very scared now to be fair.
"It thought it is a safe area. I have never had a bad feeling about it."
A retired neighbour, who has lived in the area since the 80s, has told Nottinghamshire Live: "People are coming and going - but I do not get involved. I saw the police here - but I did not know the reason for it."
The 85-year-old said she is vulnerable and so she likes to stay inside. She added: "You see a lot of strangers coming in the area. I never speak to anyone.
"We give each other Christmas cards for example. But I do not tell my neighbours my problems and I do not know theirs.
"I do not want to get into trouble here. I am vulnerable, I walk with a stick - so I like to stay inside."
Nottinghamshire Police said that anyone who breaches the order risks a fine or imprisonment. The order was sought by police following numerous reports of drug use and anti-social behaviour at the address.
Police Constable Adam Smith, of The Meadows NPT, said: "This property had become a focus for drug-related criminality and antisocial behaviour. Neighbouring residents were left living in fear, and I am delighted that we have now been able to take such decisive action to protect them.
“I am delighted Nottingham Magistrates’ Court granted the closure order as this will provide respite to the local community from the continual anti-social, nuisance and criminal behaviour that has occurred inside and outside of the address.”
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