'Crack house' shut under new laws

The Home Office said it was one of the first closures under new laws

A suspected 'crack house' has been closed down under new legislation which came into force earlier this week.

Magistrates in Eastbourne granted Sussex Police a three-month closure of the flat in Pevensey Road under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act.

The Home Office confirmed it was one of the first closures of its kind to be made under the new laws which came into force on Tuesday.

Magistrates heard on Saturday how 21 rocks of crack cocaine had been found at the flat during a raid carried out earlier in January.

I feel this legislation will have real teeth to deal with those premises that are presently involved with class A drugs and the nuisance that it makes for residents living nearby Chief Inspector Peter Mills

There were also allegations of assaults at the property, the court was told.

Chief Inspector Peter Mills said: "I have spoken to occupants in other flats who are fed up.

"They told me there was noise, shouting and fighting at all hours of the day and night."

Other people living nearby said they welcomed the move which means the occupants of the flat have to leave, and which bans anyone from entering the premises during the three-month order.

One woman described living in the block as a "living hell" although another neighbour feared it would move the problem elsewhere.

But Chief Insp Mills said: "I feel this legislation will have real teeth to deal with those premises that are presently involved with class A drugs and the nuisance that it makes for residents living nearby."

The new legislation gives police the power to close illegal drug dens within 48 hours and then keep them shut for up to six months.

Before, the so called "crack houses" could re-open within hours by replacing the people in charge of the operation.