A hotel which had links to drugs and crime has been shut by police.

West Thornton Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) closed the Japstow Hotel in Campbell Road following a court order made by Croydon Magistrates Court.

The premises was shut on Thursday following three months of evidence gathered by the SNT team showing drug using, anti-social behaviour and criminal activity taking place at the address.

The West Thornton SNT carried out a raid at the address earlier this month and uncovered evidence of drug taking and drugs paraphernalia.

They had also found at the hotel a suspect who was believed to have stolen substantial quantities of lead, causing thousands of pounds of damage at a local church.

The West Thornton SNT had also gathered evidence to show that the venue and the occupants were not being properly managed, causing a disproportionate impact on neighbours.

Sergeant Phyllis Rooney, from the West Thornton SNT who was central to applying for the closure order said: “This is fantastic news for the local residents in the area. They have been telling us that they’ve been suffering from antisocial behaviour and crime linked to this address. As a result, we’ve used the powers available to us and worked with local partners to get the closure order.

“This really is what safer neighbourhoods policing is about - local residents telling their local team about local problems. It’s our job to then try and resolve these issues and make their neighbourhood safer.”

Cabinet member for community safety, councillor Simon Hoar said: “I am delighted that local residents are to benefit from this property’s closure. It shows how effective partnership working can bring very positive results for the public.”