Residents on a troubled Roehampton estate have praised police for arresting three men believed to be involved in “large-scale drug-dealing”, following a summer of crime.
Frightened Lennox estate residents had been in contact with police and the Wandsworth Guardian throughout the summer in an attempt to highlight the area’s crime problems.
In July, residents told the Wandsworth Guardian of rumours that guns were on the estate, and this culminated in the doorstep shooting of a man on August 25.
Then on October 19, as a result of intelligence from safer neighbourhood teams and residents, police raided an address in Arabella Drive.
They arrested one man for intent to supply Class A drugs and burglary and two other men for intent to supply Class A drugs. Wandsworth police now believe this is a significant step in dismantling a criminal network which attempted to take control of the estate.
Detective Inspector Cathy Page said: “This is another good example of police resources working together to identify and apprehend those who think that they can make a living from criminality and cause misery to other residents.
“We were able to successfully identify an address and time which allowed us the utmost chance of successful prosecutions against those individuals concerned.”
One resident, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s really good news the police are cracking down on certain people on the estate.
“It was starting to get out of hand earlier in the summer, and then rumours about shotguns and MAC-10s started.
“There are lots of children living here and it just makes us all feel much safer knowing the police are on our side and listen to us.”
A police spokesman confirmed a 32-year-old man, a 26-year-old man and an 18-year-old man were arrested and have been bailed until late December.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here