File:Day 188 - West Midlands Police - Drug den closed (9216896776).jpg

English: A DRUGS den in east Birmingham has been boarded up by police officers after magistrates granted a crack-house closure order.

The address, in Bradley Road, Shard End, was officially closed on Tuesday afternoon (2 July) following a police investigation in which quantities of class A drugs were recovered.

The address was first brought to the attention of officers by local residents who reported suspected drug dealing and anti-social behaviour. Residents also informed police of strangers visiting the address throughout the day and night.

Officers executed a drugs warrant at the address in January this year and as a result, recovered a significant quantity of crack cocaine and heroin. A 33 year old man is currently on police bail while investigations continue.

The closure order, granted at Birmingham Magistrates’Court, ensures that no-one can enter the property for three months. During this time, it is a criminal offence for anybody to enter the address unless authorised to do so by the police.

All windows and doors at the property have been boarded up and officers have placed large notices on the address explaining the reasons for its closure.

PC Matt Goundry,from the Shard End neighbourhood team, said: "We are pleased to have been granted this closure order and believe it will have a positive effect in the local area.

"In this case, information received from local residents was key to the order being granted. By working together with local communities, we really can make a difference.

"This also sends a clear message out to those involved in drug crime −we will take action and you could also be at risk of losing your property or being evicted."

Anyone who suspects drug use or any suspicious activity in their local community should contact police on 101 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.