Following a two day trial, District Judge Moore has ordered that semi-independent living accommodation in Bexley run by the social care operator Transforming Lives Co (TLC), which places children/ young adults from authorities across London, should be closed for two months.
The Metropolitan Police applied to close the premises at 67 Church Road following complaints about drug use and offensive behaviour at the premises.
Having heard evidence and submissions from counsel on behalf of both the police and the owner of TLC, Mr Frank Amoah, DJ Moore held that the police allegations were true.
She accepted the Police case that whilst the circumstances of the application were unusual, not least as the most recent incident had occurred more than a month prior to the time from which the order was to run, the statutory test under the new law enacted in the ASB, Crime and Policing Act 2014 was met.
The District Judge found that Mr Amoah's credibility had been damaged by his answers to questions in cross examination and that TLC was not exercising proper control over the premises. She therefore found that is was necessary to make an order closing the premises for a period of 2 months.
The case is, as noted above, an unusual exercise of the powers available to the police and local authorities under the 2014 Act and demonstrates the breadth of the circumstances to which the new law may apply.
Charles Streeten appeared on behalf of the Metropolitan Police instructed by Laura Simpson of the MPS Directorate of Legal Services.