Drugs swoop on estate

A TEENAGER has been arrested by police accused of having a massive haul of 50 wraps of crack cocaine.

Officers from Clerkenwell's Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) were on patrol on the Earlstoke Estate in Spencer Street, Clerkenwell, at about 4pm on Friday when they spotted a 16-year-old boy in an alleyway with a man and a woman.

The teenger tried to run off, but two officers blocked off his escape routes at each end of the alley and arrested him.

It is alleged he had 50 rocks of what police believe is crack cocaine.

He was arrested for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and taken to Islington police station in Tolpuddle Street, Islington, for questioning.

He has since been bailed to return on July 4, pending forensic analysis of substances found.

The SNT officers had been tipped off by concerned residents that drug dealing was going on at the Earlstoke Estate, which generally has a low crime rate.

One of the arresting officers, PC Simon Bordley, from Clerkenwell SNT, said: "We had received complaints over the last few months that people were dealing drugs and they had seen users congregating in the stairways on the estate.

"It always seemed to be young boys on bikes.

"The estate itself is quite safe, and we never get reports of violence or burglaries there, but people can come from all over to buy drugs and then disappear off to take it somewhere else.

"In response to residents' concerns we have increased patrols in the area, resulting in Friday's arrest. We spread out patrols morning, noon and night so they never know when we will be there. This should reduce crime and act as a deterrent."

Some residents were shocked that drug dealing might be going on on the estate.

Tom Lister said: "As far as I know, drugs have never been a problem on the estate. I'm surprised to hear someone was arrested. I've never experienced anything that would make me think drug dealing was going on. I know it does everywhere but I have never seen any overt signs of it.