Notorious fake café and tea rooms in Gloucester shut down after selling cocaine

A notorious Gloucester property that was being falsely operated as a café and tea rooms has been shut after being revealed as a hub for drug dealing and criminality. The premises, in the Barton area of the city, had become known in the area as a busy hive of crime and anti-social behaviour.

Cannabis and cocaine worth an estimated £5,700 was seized from the premises in October, alongside drug paraphernalia. A three-month closure order has now been secured after those using and operating the fake tea rooms that made life a misery for surrounding shops and businesses.

Magistrates granted the closure order at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, November 20, deeming it necessary to prevent the continuation of disorder and criminal offences at the address. It prevents anyone except from certain named individuals and certain agencies to be inside or on the property.

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The order was successfully secured by officers from the Gloucester Neighbourhood Policing and Vanguard teams, the latter being a unit dedicated to targeting the worst criminals in their area. They were supported by Solace, a multi-agency team combining councils, police and Police Community Support Officers.

The agencies presented the court with substantial evidence of drugs being dealt from within the property, which was being falsely operated as a café and tea rooms.

Failure to comply with the order is a criminal offence which could result in imprisonment for up to three months, a fine, or both. The order will be in effect until 19 February 2025 and officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team will make regular checks on the property to ensure the closure order is being adhered to.

Sergeant Tom Francis, from the Gloucester Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Securing a closure order on this address has been a great collaborative effort between police and our council partners. This address had sadly become a well-known hub for crime and anti-social behaviour that was making the lives of nearby business owners a misery.

"Our teams, with assistance from Solace, have carried out a lengthy and detailed investigation into what had been happening in and around the property and I hope the community are reassured by the positive action we've taken to shut it down.
"We will not tolerate drug dealing and the criminality that is associated with it and we will do everything within our powers to stop it.

If you are concerned about anti-social behaviour in your community or have nuisance neighbours, you can report it online here.