Health chiefs gave it a 4 star rating (its pest control measures were described as ‘very good’) but the Constanta Shop at 272 Lincoln Road, Millfield, Peterborough, remains closed – after a court order – until November 7.
Police sergeant Paul Delmer said: “This closure order has been carried out as part of ‘Alliance’, which is a campaign to regenerate Millfield by tackling criminality in the area in a bid to make it an all-round better place for the community.
“It involves us working with partner agencies and residents in the area to reduce the levels of organised criminality through a variety of targeted operations and policing tactics.”
He added: “I hope the closure order and arrests shows the community that we are committed to tackling their concerns and will continue to police this robustly through regular compliance checks and taking action against anyone found to be in breach.”
Police sought the closure order following concerns around drug dealing, exploitation, and links to organised crime
The closure notice was served on Constanta Shop on 22 July following a warrant carried out by the Neighbourhood Support Team (NST) where drugs and weapons were found, resulting in two men being arrested.
A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of possession of criminal property – namely cash, being concerned in the supply of cannabis and possession of a firearm – namely CS spray.
A man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis and possession of a firearm – namely CS spray.
Both have been released from police custody on bail to return to Thorpe Wood Police Station in Peterborough on 22 October.
The closure application was initially contested by the owners on 24 July, but a full closure order was granted at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on August 7.
The convenience store is now closed until 7 November this year to all people, at all times, except for the emergency services, employees of the local authority and the landlord.
Any breach of the order is a criminal offence which could result in imprisonment of up to three months, a fine, or both.
Anyone with information about the order being breached should contact police online via the reporting form or webchat. Those without internet access should call 101.
Information about Alliance can be found on the force’s dedicated Alliance webpage.
*Health inspectors visited the store last November and gave it a 4 star rating and noted that its “hygienic handling of food including preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage” was generally satisfactory.
And they concluded its management of food safety was good.
