Estate drug dens are closed down
THREE drug dens have been shut on one estate in the past three months - to the delight of long-suffering residents.
People on the Whitecross Estate, off Whitecross Street, Finsbury, claim they had been living in constant fear of the junkies and druggies.
Police swooped on the problem flats - two in Banner House and one in Peabody Court - after receiving numerous complaints about drug dealing, threatening behaviour and noise.
"It's been beautiful since the flats were closed," said one resident of nine years, who did not want to be named for fear of repercussions. "It is absolute heaven and the neighbours are now talking to each other and helping each other out without fear.
"There are a lot of elderly residents on the estate and they were very fearful of these people - who were disruptive, threatening and annoying."
The two flats in Banner House had become home to junkies and squatters who were using them to take and deal heroin and crack cocaine. When police officers raided them in October, they found them strewn with used needles.
In contrast, the ground-floor flat in Peabody Court, which was raided earlier this month, had become a "party place" where 15 to 20 teenagers would gather to drink beer and take drugs until the early hours of the morning.
Another estate resident, who again would not be named, said: "There was a constant stream of unsavoury people coming and going from Banner House, while the Peabody Court lot would drink their beers and smash their bottles where they stood. They were noisy and always arguing and very intimidating."
Joanne Chandra, who lives in Banner House, added: "I wasn't intimidated but I can see why others may have been fearful of them."
The three flats were sealed up after police obtained three-month closure orders at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court. Police Constable Graham Burke, of Islington Anti-Social Behaviour Team, said: "It would seem that at least for now we have put an end to some of the problems on the estate. The people in Banner House were drug addicts and were using crack cocaine and heroin. I have not seen as many used needles as there were in one of the flats for seven or eight years."
Melanie Seghrides, community safety officer from the Peabody housing association, which manages the estate, added: "I am really pleased with the outcome and the success of achieving closures on three addresses known to be used for illegal drugs. It is satisfying to know we have improved the lives of hundreds of people who will now be able to enjoy their homes and feel safe again.
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