A dessert shop temporarily closed last year after claims by Cambridgeshire police of ‘organised criminality and sexual exploitation of women’ has closed permanently after their landlord, Huntingdonshire District Council, forced the tenants out.
The shop, on Oak Drive, Huntingdon, never re-opened after police won a 3 month closure order for it last June which banned anyone apart from the emergency services from entering it.
Anyone found in the property unlawfully was warned they could be arrested.
After its temporary closure, Ben Obese-Jecty, now MP for Huntingdon but at the time the Conservative parliamentary candidate, praised police for their actions.
“Shocking to hear that child sexual exploitation and child criminal exploitation are the reason for the closure as a result of a recent police investigation in relation to county lines drug activity,” he wrote.
“Great work by the police in tackling this and eradicating it from the town and local neighbourhoods.”
Dessert Central in Oak Drive, Huntingdon, closed permanently yesterday (4 February) after being issued with a notice of forfeiture by the council.
“It means the landlord for the building, Huntingdonshire District Council, has reclaimed the site from the tenant and the business no longer operates at this location,” said a police spokesperson.
“The action follows recent criminal activity in relation to organised criminality including the sexual exploitation of young women and the supply of drugs and alcohol to others.
Detective Chief Inspector Melissa Cunningham said: “This outcome shows criminality will be targeted from all angles by police and partners working together to disrupt activity that is harmful to our communities.
“These measures have been taken as a result of evidence-based concerns that criminal behaviour on the premises was likely to continue.
“Partnership working such as this is core to neighbourhood policing, and we will continue to collaborate in response to any future concerns.”
Executive councillor for resident services and corporate performance at Huntingdonshire District Council, Cllr Stephen Ferguson added: “We welcome the outcome of this case, which highlights the strength of partnership working in tackling criminal activity.
“By working alongside the police, we have taken decisive action to safeguard our community and ensure that premises linked to harmful behaviour are addressed appropriately.
“We remain committed to continuing this collaborative approach to keep Huntingdonshire a safe place for all.”
Last June’s closure order came after police reported it was being investigated in relation to county lines drug activity and organised criminality.
Police concerns included the sexual exploitation of young women and the supply of drugs and alcohol to others.
Cambridgeshire Police said there were also frequent reports of anti-social behaviour and violence.
Det Insp Cunningham, who leads the Neighbourhood Support Team, said at the time: “Securing this closure is a fantastic step forward in dismantling organised crime groups and tackling serious and organised crime in our county.
“There were evidence-based concerns that, had this order not been made, there would likely be disorderly, offensive, or criminal behaviour on the premises.
“In particular the sexual exploitation of young women and the supply of drugs and alcohol to others.”
