VOTE: Tough warning for Lancing cannabis café
POLICE have warned people visiting Lancing's suspected cannbis café they face the risk of a criminal record.
The site, in Freshbrook Road, was reopened days after a dramatic raid.
Officers used a tractor to pull a window from the heavily-fortified building, on Thursday, October 11.
Click here to see video of the raid.
Now a tyre wall has been erected around the outside of the building, with razor-wire and vehicle height restriction bars also in place.
Inspector James Asser, of Adur police, told the Herald this week: "We will not tolerate drug taking in the community – it is as simple as that."
Arrest and charge
Officers are permitted to confiscate drugs and issue warnings to those caught with cannabis, but Insp Asser said they would push for stronger penalties because the so-called "cannabis warnings" were being abused.
He said: "People were meeting round the corner and going to get more, and that is not what they were designed for.
"We will arrest and charge rather than give our cannabis warnings.
"People entering the premises face the risk of a criminal record."
Adur police district commander Chief Inspector Lawrence Hobbs said the aim was still to close down the suspected cannabis caf.
He added residents had told officers they were doing the right thing, and reiterated the operation was not about targeting people smoking cannabis in the privacy of their own home.
Ch Insp Hobbs said: "This is about tackling a very serious community issue.
"Twenty or 30 people at a time are converging on a quiet, residential area to take illegal drugs.
"The local community has given us a very clear mandate and we will act within the power of the law to achieve that."
Adur police and the Herald are keen to hear people's views on the caf and the ongoing operation.
Take part in the vote
Do you think police are right in trying to close down Lancing's suspected cannabis caf?
Vote yes or no in the box to the right of this screen.
Comments can be sent via email to letters@worthingtoday.co.uk
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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