The tenant of a Peterborough flat has been moved – and the property closed by police – after a second incident of the vulnerable victim being exploited by unwelcome ‘visitors’. Police say drug dealers often use high levels of violence and intimidation to control their victims.
One of these forms of control exploits vulnerable people by using their home as a base for dealing drugs, known as cuckooing.
In March 2022 police ordered the temporary closure of the flat and restricted only the tenant and named officials from entering it.
The court order was imposed for 3 months but on Wednesday a fresh closure order was made, this time including the tenant, after further reports of exploitation and anti-social behaviour.
“Reports to police have included people coming and going from the flat at all times of the day and night,” said a Cambridgeshire police spokesperson.
Ladders were even used to gain access to the flat and the spokesperson said there was evidence of “drug use and dealing, financial exploitation of the tenant, and serious violence taking place within the property”.
The full closure order was served on 5 Cedar Grove yesterday afternoon (Wednesday) following a successful application at Peterborough magistrates’ court by the local Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) and Cross Keys Homes.
The order, which is in place until 1 January next year, prohibits anyone, including the legal tenant, from entering the premises, except for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) staff, emergency service employees and Cross Keys Homes staff/contractors.
Failure to comply with the order is a criminal offence which could result in imprisonment for up to three months, a fine, or both.
PC Dan Lindop, from the eastern Peterborough NPT, said: “Various measures have been put in place by different agencies to support the tenant.
“However, there have still been serious concerns for his wellbeing, resulting in this latest action being taken and him being moved to a new location.
“I hope this action provides some respite for neighbours while we continue to work alongside partner agencies to deter the ASB and protect the tenant.”
Anyone with information about the order being breached should contact police via the web chat service or online forms at www.cambs.police.uk/report.
Those without internet access should call 101.
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