Two arrests after police raid crack den

Police close crack den after suspected drug dealers use St George’s flag to tell users it was open for business

Police continued their fight against drug dealing in a city neighbourhood after raiding a suspected crack den.

Officers from the St Ann's Neighbourhood Policing Team and Operation Reacher knocked down the door of a flat in Duncombe Close, St Ann’s, on Tuesday 1 August at around 9.10am.

Intelligence suggested the one-bedroom property was being used for drug activity - with officers observing deals taking place from the ground-floor windows.

A St George’s flag was being placed in the window to let drug users know it was open for business.

The neighbourhood has also seen a rise in antisocial behaviour and local businesses have reported a spike in shop theft and other criminality.

When officers carried out a search of the flat they found wraps of suspected Class A drugs, weapons and mobile phones.

Two people, a man aged 35, and a 44-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of shoplifting after a theft from a city centre store on 3 June.

The man was also arrested on suspicion of assault during the same incident and the woman for possession of Class A drugs.

Officers and our partners from Nottingham City Council delivered leaflets after the warrant had been executed to explain the police activity and urge other people with information to speak to us.

Police Constable Karl Browne, of the St Ann’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This was a good result and follows a lot of painstaking work by officers who have been observing this location for some months.

“No one should have to live close to a property where drug activity is taking place, along with all the antisocial behaviour and other crime this has brought to the area.

“We are now working on a number of lines of inquiry to build up a better picture of this drugs operation.

“Our investigation is ongoing and anyone with any information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

“I would also urge anyone with information about drug dealing in their community to get in touch. The intelligence gained from members of the public is a vital part of our ongoing work to reduce drug crime in neighbourhoods across the city.”