Arrests at derelict pub in Blue Bell Hill, Chatham
Six people have been arrested at a derelict
pub which was being used by squatters.
Officers executed a warrant
at a former public house in Blue Bell Hill village on Sunday.
Officers entered the Upper
Bell Inn at 7am and arrested six people at the property on
suspicion of drugs offences.
The warrant was obtained
following reports of anti-social behavior at the
property.
A 44-year-old man from
Chatham was arrested on suspicion of theft, possession of a
controlled drug and allowing premises to be used to supply drugs.
He was later released without charge.
A 33 year-old woman from
Rochester, a 33 year-old man from Gillingham and an 18 year-old
woman from Maidstone were all given cautions for possession of a
controlled drug.
Marcia Wheeler, 41, of Bell
Shaw, Maidstone, was charged with possession of a controlled Class
B drug. She was bailed to appear before Sevenoaks Magistrates'
Court on January 15.
A 28-year-old man was given a
penalty notice for possession of cannabis.
Inspector Nick Sparkes from
Kent Police said: ‘We had received reports suggesting that drug use
was taking place at the derelict property, and that invariably
causes other anti-social behaviour.
"Executing a warrant at the
property was designed to disrupt this activity, and help us gain
intelligence around the use of drugs across the
district."
Earlier this year residents
raised concerns about the pub being used by squatters, which
led Chatham MP Tracey Crouch to renew her call for squatting in
commercial properties to be made illegal.
11/12/12
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