Police action over Blackburn 'drugs' flats

8:59pm Wednesday 9th April 2008

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POLICE have applied to board up two Blackburn flats and evict the occupants over drug dealing allegations.

Officers were at the East Street, Bank Top properties, letting occupants know they may be forced out tomorrow.

Lancashire Police said the bid follows months of evidence gathering by the neighbourhood policing team into reports of anti social behaviour and alleged Class A drug use at the premises.

If Blackburn magistrates agree to the close of the flats at a hearing tomorrow, it could be the first time Lancashire Police have ever shut down two properties together.

Officers served the notice using powers from the Anti Social Behaviour Act.

The notice alerts those using the property, including residents and owners, that police have applied to the courts to close the building.

A spokeswoman for Lancashire Constabulary said: "It sends a clear message to the community that action is being taken against the premises and informing the alleged drug dealers or users that their activities will not be tolerated.

"It gives notice of impending closure of the premises is being sought and the details of what this entails."

Neighbours in the street welcomed the move.

One said: "There is a lot of coming and going, it's quite bad.

"The police response has been really impressive, three vans with 20 to 30 officers turned up on Tuesday to serve the notice, so they're obviously serious.

"The houses along this street were originally up for regener-ation and were going to be knocked down.

"Now they've decided to delay it for another three years, so these things have to be taken seriously.

"Everyone has started to do their houses up again.

"It would be nice if we had some proper, permanent neighbours move in."