RESIDENTS living near a “crack alley” leading to a play area are today able to use it again now a nearby drugs den has been shut down.Suffolk Police and Ipswich Borough Council successfully applied to South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court to close down the property in Wherstead Road where drug users were said to be seen coming and going at all times of the day.

RESIDENTS living near a “crack alley” leading to a play area are today able to use it again now a nearby drugs den has been shut down.

Suffolk Police and Ipswich Borough Council successfully applied to South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court to close down the property in Wherstead Road where drug users were said to be seen coming and going at all times of the day.

Neighbours told police that people were constantly at the property and the nearby alleyway which they nicknamed “crack alley”.

After the application was approved yesterday tenant 34-year-old Sandra Reid was given just hours to vacate the three-bedroom, end-terrace property which she lives in with her partner, Keith Parchant.

Ian Seeley, speaking on behalf of Ipswich Borough Council, said: “On March 7 police attended the premises early in the morning. “As well as the occupants there were seven other people there at the time.

“There were what was believed to be class A drugs inside, drug paraphernalia and a lot of electrical equipment - some of which has since been identified as stolen.”

Before serving a closure notice on the property on May 14 officers spoke to neighbours in the area.

Mr Seeley added: “They said there were a lot of people coming and going at all times of the day and night and a lot of people shouting and trying to get into the property.

“Local residents saw people exchanging drugs outside and in the nearby alleyway which they nicknamed 'crack alley'.”

Pc Matthew Milton was one of the officers who visited the property on the raid on March 7.

He said: “Inside there were watches, an engraved pocket watch, a Playstation and games, portable DVD player and plasma television set. I can only assume these goods were handed over in return for drugs.

“There were six separate wraps of drugs found, a cigarette box full of drugs found, syringes, spoons and citric acid.

“Young mothers living nearby said they were scared to take their children to the play area nearby because of the dealings happening around the property.”

Ian Duckworth, defending, told the court: “All of the problems with the property have disappeared and there has been no reason for police to attend the address since the notice was served.

“There has been a marked improvement since then.”

Magistrates approved the order to boarder up the premises for three months until the end of August this year.

n. Do you live in the area? Are you glad about the closure? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

PANEL

NEARBY residents of the house were today relieved that the drug den had been closed down.

Many of the residents who watched as boards were placed on the building said the decision to do so has not come soon enough. However years of intimidation of having to live close by led to those residents not wishing to reveal their identities to the Evening Star.

One resident of Peppercorn Way said: “Just the other day my 10-year-old son found a syringe lying in the street. There are always drug users hanging around. The problem has been going on for two years and it is about time it was closed down”.

Another resident in the same street said: “I've lived here since 2004 and the problem started soon after. There are always people coming and going from the property and there are always people hanging by in passageways and car parks. I've seen them call children over and worry about what they are trying to get them to do. It has been very intimidating. I am very pleased the order has been made but am concerned about what will happen in three months time when it is lifted”.