A drug den that was causing misery for people living nearby has been shut down.

Police obtained a closure order for 65 New Barn Close, Fleet, at Aldershot Magistrates’ Court last week.

The crack house closure order, granted under the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003, means nobody can enter the property for three months unless authorised by the police.

Fleet-based antisocial behaviour field officer Pc Dave Woods, who made the application to the magistrates, said the flat was a well-known drugs den.

He said use of the flat for activities connected to class A drugs first came to light as a result of a complaint by the tenant, 29-year-old Lee Holbrook, who said two men entered his home armed with a gun, and stole property.

Investigation

“On investigation, the incident appears to be drug-related,” Pc Woods told the court.

He said further investigation revealed that convicted drug dealers Simon Bass, 29, and Darren Pearce, 39, regularly visited the flat.

On June 9 officers from Sentinel Housing took a walk around the area and spoke to three residents who claimed there was possibly class A drug dealing taking place at the flat.

Pc Woods said: “Investigations suggest there is clear evidence that class A drugs are connected to the premises by drug dealers calling at the address.”

He added that samples of burnt tin foil found in the flat tested positive for cocaine.

Pc Woods said Mr Bass was the subject of a crack house closure order at 22 New Barn Close in March. He added: “My belief is that he has simply moved across the road and started dealing from there.”

Pc Woods said Mr Holbrook appeared to have been coerced into this use of his flat.

Abandoned

He added: “He has abandoned the flat and isn’t here today to challenge this closure.

“In fact there is nobody here to challenge it.”

Pc Woods said Mr Holbrook was now believed to be staying with a friend in Bagshot as he was concerned about staying in the Fleet flat.

He added: “He fears he is in danger and that people are out to get him. He’s had enough.”

Pc Woods said several people had often heard noise coming from the flat at all times of the day and night, but most often at 3am or 4am.

He said a neighbour went to the flat and tried to get the people inside to keep quiet but was threatened with violence.

“Lots of people were coming and going from the flat,” added Pc Woods. “One resident said people bang on the door and call out ‘have you got any gear?’

"People have been seen to use the flat like a drug den and there was always the smell of drugs in the hallway. The smell of burning drugs was overwhelming.”

Complaints

Pc Woods said residents had complained of light bulbs being taken out of the hallway so people could not be seen going to the flat.

Sgt Dave Hill of the Fleet safer neighbourhoods team welcomed the closure. He said: “Drug use and drug supply affect everyone in a community, especially those living within close proximity of where the offence is taking place.

“With the continued support of the local community, Hart District Council and the local housing associations, we will target those individuals who deal drugs.

“This piece of legislation means the dealers and those who allow them to operate risk losing their homes.

“This may seem harsh but the harm and suffering that drugs can cause means we will continue to deal robustly with anyone involved in the supply or use of class A drugs.”

Anyone with information about drug activity should call the police in confidence on 0845 0454545.