Police executed two drugs warrants at 85 Hinde House Lane, Grimesthorpe, leading to an application from the Sheffield Anti-Social Behaviour Team for a crack house closure order.

The request was agreed at the city's magistrates' court yesterday - and within hours the building was boarded up for three months by the council.

The move comes following criticisms last month from Brightside MP David Blunkett, who said police were not using tough powers to close down the house which was making residents' lives a misery.

But Chief Supt Jon House said South Yorkshire Police were working to close the house down before Mr Blunkett raised the matter.
He added that a first operation had taken place at the address on April 15, the day before he received Mr Blunkett's letter.

He said: "We knew about this address before we were contacted by Mr Blunkett and the letter we received from him postdated our first operation at the address, which took place the day before.
"This is an address we were told about by members of the public at the same time as they also told their local MP about it."

Chief Supt House added the operation had taken careful planning and consideration.

He said: "In the interim we were preparing the operation which was particularly complicated, due to the fortification of the property.
"This was a property where we had to take the front of the house off, and we wanted to ensure the safety of the public and police officers in doing so.

"We also wanted to ensure we could gain sufficient evidence.
"The operation was successful because it was properly planned and executed."

Sgt Jenny Lax, from the Sheffield ASBO team, added: "The closure of this crack house has been successful because of the information given to us about this address by the local community.

"We have listened to local residents and their concerns, and taken positive action. Everyone is entitled to a good quality of life in the environment in which they live."


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