Apr 24 2008
By JENNIFER FINNEGAN, Formby Times
Police expose shocking evidence at notorious property
THE notorious Powerhouse site is being used as a drink and drugs den.
Police have uncovered drug paraphenalia and empty alcohol containers on their latest call-out to the trouble-spot.
Officers invited the Formby Times to accompany them to the site where they had been called the night before.
There was evidence of drink and drugs use, with home-made smoking devices and tin foil, which had been burnt for use in smoking drugs.
There were also empty cans of alcohol, and whoever was using the area has built a den with seats and tarpaulin over the top.
Graffiti has been sprayed inside the den, with a picture of a cannabis plant drawn on the side of one bench.
Sgt Steve Matthews said: "We were called to the site in relation to drugs and, effectively, there have been drugs present.
"We haven’t found drugs but there is clear evidence that drugs are being used here."
Inspector Martin Melia added: "The responsibility lies with the owner. We could present him with evidence that alcohol and drugs are being abused on his property and he should secure it.
"Drinking alcohol and taking drugs can lead to other anti-social behaviour such as damage to vehicles on their way home."
Acting Sgt Alan Wrigg said: "It was suggested to us that kids were playing with what could have been drugs at the site and they had been found stashed behind a brick in the Powerhouse.
"There was no evidence that drugs were present but we found the site in the condition described with drug paraphernalia and empty alcohol cans.
"The evidence is there that drugs have been used. It’s little tell-tale signs that suggest drug use and quite obvious signs people are drinking down there."
Although not the owner, Mr Mike McComb has an option to buy the site and says he has spent £500,000 on security over the past three years.
He said: "It is a never-ending battle. We go weekly to see whether our security has been breached."
Following this latest incident, he is instructing building contractors to renew security measures.
Mr McComb says his ultimate goal is to convert the site into a residential development, which he is in discussion with Sefton Council about.
"That would be an end to all the problems," he adds.
Ah, local newspapers! Shock Horror What an article, if Jennifer Finnegan doesn't get a post on the Daily Mail there's no justice. Drugs, alcohol...a drugs den indeed. Well really! Teenagers drinking and smoking a bit of weed (I'd spotted the torn up Rizla packets scattered about myself but didn't immediately think drugs den) They've even painted a cannabis leaf on a bench! Reefer madness! we'll all be murdered in our beds. They've also painted a skull and crossbones on the wall of their shelter (sorry, 'den') Does that mean they're pirates? are they sailing a home-made Black Pearl up the river Alt to prey on the container ships going in to Seaforth?...or is that taking things a bit too far? Over reacting maybe?
OK, as I said in the first post about this the teenagers don't own the land, Mike McComb does. Unlike him however the teenagers are actually using the land. Apart from a bit of mess and a bit of personal use ganja I don't see the harm.
Even reading between the lines of the Police's comments you can see a hint of common sense. It's all 'could' lead to this and 'can' cause that. They even acknowledge that no drugs have been found on site but there is 'clear evidence that drugs are being used here'
I suppose unexplained footprints are evidence that Bigfoot exists too.
I thought there'd be a reaction against the Trails but I hope it isn't all just bulldozed.
One last thing, it says that the owner has spent half a million quid on security at the site. All I've ever seen there is a chain and padlock on the gates. It's a big padlock and a very funky blue padded cover on the chain but £500,000! I wish he'd come to me for some more security stuff...I've got a spare fence panel I can let him have for a hundred grand.
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