Case studies

Project: WINSTANLEY HOUSING ESTATE - CLOSURE OF CRACK HOUSES

NDS theme:  Tackling Supply
Region:  London         
Who funds it? LB of Wandsworth with Home Office, Communities Against Drugs funding.
Contact Name:  Richard Wiles   
Tel/email:  020 8871 6020  rwiles@wandsworth.gov.uk

Background to the project
The estate is behind Clapham Junction railway station in south London. For many years it has been a centre for local drug activity and also a destination for drug users from outside the local area. It was an open crack market with dealing taking place on the streets. In 2001 police targeted the estate and the dealing operation moved inside flats which then became crack houses.

The London Borough of Wandsworth prioritised action on the estate by channelling funding from the Communities Against Drugs programme into a partnership with the Metropolitan police: housing teams worked with the police to exchange information on crack dealing to support eviction and to ensure that raids on the crack houses were followed immediately by possession and securing of the properties. This prevented the crack houses from opening again as soon as the police left.

Joint protocols between housing and police have been developed to ensure support for vulnerable tenants whose flats have been taken over by crack dealers.

What makes it different
By working together the Borough Council and the police have been able to close 18 crack houses on the estate. CAD funding allowed a Housing Liaison Officer and a dedicated police team to focus on the estate, providing a sustained and high profile presence. For the first time in 20 years Clapham Junction has lost its status as a crime hot spot.

Quotes
"We learnt what can be achieved in areas which in the past have been badly affected by drug dealing. We also learnt that we need to get residents more involved in finding a solution to the drug problems on their doorsteps, and that having stemmed the supply we need to ensure we get drugs users into treatment."

Last Updated: 29/07/2003