Leavesden Road 'drugs crime' flat closure extended

The Leavesden Road property is now off-limits for another three months after the original closure – granted in November last year – was extended at St Albans Magistrates’ Court yesterday (February 19).

At the time, two men from Watford, aged 19 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of multiple crimes including possession with intent to supply heroin and cannabis, possession of knives in a private place, theft of a motor vehicle and disabled badges, and fraud by false representation.

They were also arrested on suspicion of affray following an incident in Watford on November 5.

Both were released on bail until February 15, before being re-bailed until May 16 while enquiries continue.

Herts Police said the closure extension follows collaboration between the force, Watford Borough Council and Origin Housing – which will mean “residents will now be given further respite from the drug crime and antisocial behaviour that was previously disrupting their lives”.

The arrests and order came after an early morning drugs bust on November 16, during which officers found a significant amount of heroin and cannabis, four knives, a stolen vehicle, cloned registration plates, cash, three electric bikes, and phones they suspected to be linked to county lines drug dealing.

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Sergeant Karl Diggins, from the Watford Community Safety Unit, said: “We and our partners are very pleased to have achieved a three-month extension to the original closure order on this property.

“We work together to improve the quality of life for our residents, because no one should have to endure living close to those who are commit crime and chronic anti-social behaviour.”

He added: “Proactive intervention such as this is vital to protect the vulnerable members of our community, bring offenders to justice and rid our streets of illegal drugs and weapons. We hope this latest development shows that we are committed to doing everything in our power to prevent violence and criminality from blighting our communities.”