Devon retailer Lesley Brown has succeeded in driving out a drug dealer who was making her customers' lives a misery.
Lesley called for ideas from other Convenience Store readers (C-Store, September 19) when addicts visiting the nearby crack house regularly invaded her store.
"I spoke to the police who said an eviction procedure would take a year, but if my customers and I were prepared to stand up in court and give evidence they could close the place down," she said.
"I persuaded six locals to come with me and assured them they would be safe. The dealer has been removed and life is so much easier."
She added: "Communities need someone to take the lead in situations like this, and community retailers are exactly the people to be the focal point."
Lesley called for ideas from other Convenience Store readers (C-Store, September 19) when addicts visiting the nearby crack house regularly invaded her store.
"I spoke to the police who said an eviction procedure would take a year, but if my customers and I were prepared to stand up in court and give evidence they could close the place down," she said.
"I persuaded six locals to come with me and assured them they would be safe. The dealer has been removed and life is so much easier."
She added: "Communities need someone to take the lead in situations like this, and community retailers are exactly the people to be the focal point."
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