Brent, Barnet and Camden Police clampdown on anti-social behaviour in Cricklewood

Police raided the former grounds of Hendon Football Club (pic credit: Gus Bodur) (Image: Archant)

A brothel has been closed, the former site of a football club raided and three suspected drug dens have been stormed during an operation clamping down on anti-social behaviour in Cricklewood.

Safer Neighbourhoods officers from Barnet, Brent and Camden, working in partnership with the local authorities and the UK Borders Agency (UKBA), teamed up to carry out the three day tri-borough operation last week.

After a street briefing in Cricklewood Broadway where members of the public were able to see the start of the day’s patrol officers raided a disused football ground in Claremont Road which was being used by Romanian squatters.

A total of 68 people were found living in squalor on the site of the former ground of Hendon FC, 25 have been deported back to Romania and one has been rehoused by a homeless charity.

A brothel was closed down and second one visited by officers, 15 arrests were made for a variety of offences including burglary, overstaying, abstracting electricity and drugs, six vehicles were seized and drug raids were carried out during the three days of action.

In addition 23 warnings for breaching a dispersal order in the area were handed out, 93 stop and accounts took place and 15 stop and searches were carried out.

Cricklewood falls into Brent, Barnet and Camden.

Acting Chief Inspector Sean Lynch, from Brent Police, said: “We’ve listened to local residents and key stakeholders views, acting upon reliable information and intelligence.

“Underpinning the week’s activity is the launch of the local policing model for Barnet and Camden boroughs and the tri-borough dispersal initiated by Brent police.

“My message is simple - Brent police will not tolerate crime and anti-social behaviour in the area and will continue intensive activity working with partners and neighbouring boroughs to sustain reductions.”