Police in Newport, South Wales, have shut down a shop selling legal highs after reports of noise nuisance, intimidation and antisocial behaviour linked to the premises.
Local publisher the South Wales Argus reports that the Chill Headshop in Commercial Street, Newport was served a notice ordering it to cease trading with immediate effect pending a magistrates’ hearing.
Gwent Police have confirmed that they have applied to keep the shop closed for a period of three months.
Inspector Mark Pope said:
“Local shop keepers and workers are suffering from noise nuisance, intimidation and antisocial behaviour associated with the premises and its visitors throughout and day and evening – and this is having a detrimental effect on their lives and businesses.
“Officers and Community Support Officers have spent a lot of their time policing the problems caused by legal high abuse – and have worked hard to compile the evidence needed to justify this closure order.”
Insp Pope added that he hoped the order would help end antisocial behaviour “which has been associated with Chill’s selling of legal highs.”
It is the first time Gwent Police have used the powers contained in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
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