Police have swooped to close a Basingstoke pub after a Crack House Closure Order was granted last week.
The Barbican pub, in Maldive Road, was the subject of a hearing last month and officers have successfully got it shut down. It is the first time a pub has been closed under these rules in north and east Hampshire and means no-one can enter the Popley boozer for three months. Aldershot Magistrates Court granted the closure order under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 on Wednesday, March 24.
Inspector Olga Venner, of Basingstoke police station, said: “We have worked closely with the community to obtain this order and a warrant executed by officers on Saturday, March 13 provided us with the evidence required to close the pub. Drug use and drug supply affects everyone’s quality of life, especially those living within a close proximity to where the offence is taking place.
“We will continue to pursue and actively target those involved in drug-related anti-social behaviour to improve safety throughout the communities of Basingstoke. We would also urge anyone with information about this kind of activity to contact us immediately and in confidence.”
It is a criminal offence for anyone to enter the property unless authorised by police.
For more information about policing in the area visit the policing pages of Hampshire Constabular at www.hampshire.police.uk
