Crime-ridden phone box closed under anti-social behaviour law

A phone box that was a hub for criminal activity, including drug dealing and prostitution, has become one of the first to be closed using anti-social behaviour laws.

The kiosk in Kingsland Road, Dalston, has been nailed shut after police and Hackney council won
a three-month closure order at Thames magistrates' court.

They applied under the 2003 Anti-Social Behaviour Act, which is often used to shut down crime-ridden pubs and clubs.

Pc Richard Lewington said: "There is no doubt that anti-social activities in and around the kiosk were having a detrimental effect on residents' quality of life."

Councillor Sophie Linden said: "While the phone box was only part of the problem, its closure
will start to improve the area."

Police and council officials witnessed drug use in the kiosk after being alerted by residents concerned at the levels of dealing, prostitution and loud noise. But traders were sceptical about whether the closure would solve the problems.

Volkan Topal, 21, the owner of Topal Oglu Food
and Wine, said: "This is not going to change anything because the phone boxes nearby are still open.

"The main thing is that they need to stop the drug dealers here." Adam Wood, the manager of a nearby restaurant, said: "Taking action would be to arrest the drug dealers. Removing phone boxes is not going to do anything."