8:43am Thursday 18th October 2007
By Hayley Cover
A DRUG den has been shut down by police following complaints from worried neighbours.
Police said that for the past seven months, the one-bedroomed bungalow in Ray Road, Bicester, had been used by drug users.
Neighbours said the house had become a centre of antisocial behaviour - with noise, screaming in the street, people urinating in the road, and needles left lying around.
North Oxfordshire magistrates issued a Drug House Closure Order, which will remain in effect for three months. The property has now been boarded up, following the joint operation between Thames Valley Police and Cherwell District Council.
It is the second such order to be imposed on a property in the town. The first was issued in May for a one-bedroomed house in Heron Drive, Langford Village.
Cherwell's antisocial behaviour coordinator PC Terry Paxton, said: "A double-edged message is being sent out - not only will community complaints be heard and dealt with in a positive manner, but also the local drug culture will not be tolerated."
The investigation into suspected drug abuse at the property revealed a link with the earlier drug house, which had been closed as a result of antisocial behaviour.
PC Paxton added: "Investigations have shown that some of the people involved in this problem were also involved in the previous matter in Heron Drive.
"People have been coming and going from this property, and vehicles have been pulling up at all times of the day and night as if it were a sweet shop."
Cherwell's executive member for community, recreation and health George Reynolds, was pleased the bungalow had been shut.
He said: "I hope the message is received loud and clear that we will not tolerate such anti- social behaviour. The council and police continue to work together to make sure Cherwell remains a safe and healthy place in which to live and work."
Bicester West neighbourhood officer, Pc Simon Rowett, said: "This has definitely stopped the problem in Ray Road and since the closure in Langford Village, antisocial behaviour has stopped there altogether."
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