Community Action in Hanwell Over 'Drugs Den'

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Poster 'adverts' appear throughout W7 highlighting local drugs problem

A number of posters have appeared throughout Hanwell advertising a 'pop-up drugs den'.

The brighly coloured laminates have been spotted on lamposts and trees in W7 causing many to speculate as to what was going on.

Ealing Today can reveal that the tongue-in-cheek 'adverts' have been put up by residents fed up with what they believe to be police inaction over a drugs den on open land.

They made signs which ostensibly help 'customers' find their way to the den - (Brent Meadow - close to Ealing Hospital ) advertising a range of illegal goods for sale, and have put them up on trees and lamposts throughout the local area. The posters also have a pre-order helpline number for 'customers' - which just happens to be the local police station!

Locals took the action because they say they are seeing a steady and increasing stream of men and women visiting the open land, where children play and dogs are walked on a daily basis to buy a wide range of illegal substances. They say police have failed to close down the drugs business which they believe has been operating for some time and is selling a range of class A drugs.

Police have told them they have regular patrols and have conducted stop and search but have been unable to arrest anyone as they didn't have any controlled substances on them.

The neighbours have had enough and joined forces to try and highlight the problem in a humorous way.

It's already gained the attention of one Ealing Councillor. Cllr David Millican says ''I've written to the Police Neighbourhood Inspector, This scourge needs to be stopped.''

We have requested comment from the local police.

March 2, 2020