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Faces Nightclub raided by police

9:43am Friday 30th March 2007

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DOZENS of police officers raided Face Nightclub in Gants Hill last night, arresting 11 people.

The raid took place after weeks of meticulous planning, and following intelligence to suggest the sale of class A drugs in the area.

Officers entered the Cranbrook Road club at about 11.15pm where they arrested 11 people in connection with the raids and seized a quantity of Class A drugs. Those arrrested remain in custody at East London police stations.

Police are now seeking the relevant authority to keep Faces nightclub closed for the forseeable future.

The operation was designed to clamp down on Class A drugs being bought and sold in the Gants Hill area.

Superintendent Bryan Horsley, who led the operation from Ilford police station, said: "Following intelligenc we were able to establish that quantities of cocaine and ectasy had been bought and sold quite openly at Faces nightclub.

"This evening's raid and subsequent arrests demonstrate how seriously we take drug-related crime and how determined we are to rid Redbridge borough of drugs."

He added: "The operation today, linked with earlier arrests, will have a significant impact of the supply of Class A drugs in the Gants Hill area and will act as a further warning to anyone involved in the dealing of drugs that we will arrest those responsible."

Anyone with information about drug crime should contact police or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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Your Say YourEast London and West Essex Guardian Series

Morris Hickey, Chigwell says...
10:37am Fri 30 Mar 07

This establishment has been a blot on the landscape of Gants Hill for far too long. The rowdy behaviour that centres around it and the huge number of cars that it brings into the area have contributed to the accelerated decline of Gants Hill both as a commercial and residential area. Residents have had to tolerate inconsiderate parking, as well as quite disgraceful behaviour on the part of some of the incoming patrons. My constant attempts in the past to get action taken by certain Redbridge Council officers have never been seriously pursued, although some feeble attempts to do something about parking have happened.

The time has now come where the temporary closure of this place provides the council with the opportunity to review its future under all their powers: licensing, public protection, highways issues, public safety, crime and disorder. Let that consideration start today, 30 March 2007.

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Jeff, London says...
12:02pm Fri 30 Mar 07

Cor, anymore moaning mate!I think theres a need for a place were hardworking people can go when they need to relax, we go to work all week and how we choose to enjoy our wages is up to us, I dont condone the use of class A drugs, but that is the minority of people in ANY club in essex and london that use them!If the club does get closed down it will be an absolute travisty as the VAST MAJORITY of people that go in there (in my experince) go simply to let there hair down and socialise.

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Anom, Essex says...
12:33pm Fri 30 Mar 07

Of all the clubs I go, Faces is by far the safest venue. I've never been offered drugs, unlike at other local places, i'm sure there is drugs around but you can get drugs at school now!!!!
If faces closes your gonna lose the most trouble free club in the area....

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Anon, E18, says...
1:42pm Fri 30 Mar 07

If Mr Hickey didn't object to just about everything, then maybe he would be taken seriously.

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Jack, Essex says...
2:29pm Fri 30 Mar 07

I used to party in Faces on a regular basis and NEVER noticed anyone selling drugs. This was probably because I was absolutely off my nut and concentrating more on propping up the bottom bar and trying to string more than two words together and doing big fish little fish cardboard box on the dancefloor. Please open it back up again soon.

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joeboy, essex says...
3:10pm Fri 30 Mar 07

if you are going to close faces down on a permanent basis then you would have to close down every club in essex and london, the police have to understand that the country has a problem with drugs not the clubs, if they cant do it in faces then there just going to do it somewhere else. and lets face it what would gants hill be with out faces, cant see hundreds of people going there just for the kebab house!

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Tony, london says...
3:10pm Fri 30 Mar 07

I recall seeing that Jack bloke there a few times,seemed a really nice chap,I could'nt understand a word he was trying to say to me but he always was buying me drinks whilst holding on to me to stop himself from falling over.Shame if it stays closed because Jack's dancing was one of the highlight's of the evening,picture Sir Stephen Hawkin's trying to walk 6 steps to the bar and you get an idea of how great his company was.Bloody Labour Governments fault if you ask me

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Mark, Essex says...
3:12pm Fri 30 Mar 07

Sorry but this was inevitable, its rife everywhere these days with drugs openly being sold and I for one would not shed any tears over a permanent closure as its had its day and has been declining for ages especially fridays when the close now.

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Morris Hickey, Chigwell says...
3:48pm Fri 30 Mar 07

Well, "Anont E18" I suggest you look up the word "object" in a dictionary, and then look up the word "comment". Certainly people who refuse to identify themselves are hardly likely to be taken seriously.

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doorbloke, essex says...
3:54pm Fri 30 Mar 07

speaking as an employee, Faces is one of the most controlled clubs in Essex, all the police are trying to do is make an example of a big name club. I feel that you can relax and enjoy yourself in a sound environment where people like Jack can get their groove on and be relatively safe.

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essexgirl100, essex says...
6:20pm Fri 30 Mar 07

forget faces nightclub, what about turnmills, ministry of sound etc, where hard core ravers regulary go and partake in a **** of a lot more drug taking than your average essex clubber out for a thursday night! absolutely ridiculous! i have NEVER been offered drugs in faces, and have never seen anything dodgy going on in there, apart from a bit of dodgy dancing...

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Baldy hair down, Essex says...
6:35pm Fri 30 Mar 07

I totally agree with the Doorman, the environment in the club is well maintaned and controlled Drugs were not being openly sold, judging by some of the comments you could imagine a kiosk selling you all the classes and a few sweeties as well. I do think an example is being made. After being cuffed by one of the policemen and being questioned i decided to fire a few questions of my own, ther were not 100 officers involved in the raid at most there must have been 50 - 60, where was no pandemonium eruption in the clubn in fact the officers were suprised at the very little resistance that was offered, a few mini suffles but that was about it. Faces should be very proud of it's patrons. the ones (without the drugs) about 98%

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Aimee, says...
9:17pm Fri 30 Mar 07

Well where do i start, i was there myself last night and what a joke, there was far more than 50-60 police in there, i go faces 2-3 times a week without fail and never ever have i been in such a controlled place in all my life, it is by far the safest place i have ever stepped foot in, there is NOT drugs being sold openly here and if you ask my opinion, where do you go these days that there is no drugs, they wanna concentrate on a lot bigger clubs than this for a start, i really hope they re-open soon as its the only club i would go to where i can feel really safe and well looked after!!!

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natalie, london says...
12:53am Sat 31 Mar 07

well what can i say i go to faces every thursday friday saturday and i have done for years and i have never seen or been ask about drugs im not saying it dont go on but i go to another nightclub after and faces and it is in your face big time the door man ask you if you need anything on the way in there is not real touble in faces i have never seen a fight in or out of the club they wont keep it closed for long i hope and as for anyone who has anything bad to say about it can **** off !

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Denise, Epping says...
1:39pm Sat 31 Mar 07

"The raid took place after weeks of meticulous planning, and following intelligence to suggest the sale of class A drugs in the area."
So if this raid was planned for weeks, where were the dealers that night? Saw this on TV last night: 'London Tonight' was given an exclusive behind the scene view. Seems to me that this was all just a publicity stunt by the police that really can't be substantiated.

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Music Man, Essex says...
3:26pm Sat 31 Mar 07

Faces Nightclub has since recent management changes been a magnet for drug users and suppliers, when you take into account that 7 of the people that were arrested for supplying class A drugs were members of staff and the management, you can understand what's what.

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denise, epping says...
8:26pm Sat 31 Mar 07

Surely the management would have been arrested whether they were involved or not. As managers of the club would they not be liable anyway?

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Kelly, Essex says...
9:14pm Sat 31 Mar 07

Come on,every1 does drugs these days, so it's inevitable that any nightclub will have drugs going on.Hopefully, Faces will become a warning to those who do it and there will be less drug activity in the future as drugs only muck you up in the long run

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Nat Estridge, Gants Hill says...
4:27am Sun 1 Apr 07

There's something just va little bit strange about the postings here in the Faces nightclub raid story. Of course I wouldn't dare suggest there is any organised posting going but I see several people have used the word "safe" to describe Faces. Maybe it is safe. Maybe it isn't. Whatever it is, "safe" is not an obvious word with which to describe any nightclub. It's strange to see it is the description of choice here. There couldn't be a prompt going aroung telling posters what to write, could there? No. That's too far-fatched.

My other point is that all these safety-conscious posters who have been going to Faces for so many years seem to have managed to totally overlook the drug-dealing which is going on. However you can't argue with 11 arrests and a seizure of Class-A drugs. As my neighbor says, it's possible that our correspondents here in this thread were too high to remember. Of course, I personally would never allege such a scurrillous thing.

Pip pip!

Nathan


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vixen, Essex says...
12:01pm Sun 1 Apr 07

I have had the pleasure of frequenting most of the clubs in the Essex area and some in London too (Ministry, Fabric etc). Trust me, Faces is not a druggy club. You are more likely to encounter the happy party crowd who like a boogie and a drink or two. Hardcore ravers go elsewhere.

Nathan sweetheart, have you actually been to Faces? Maybe the reason why everyone who has been there are all saying its safe is because it actually is?! Theres a good atmosphere, everyone's really friendly and theres never any trouble. Come back Faces - we miss you!

Im sure the cops could have found a more appropriate club to make an example of (which would have yielded more evidence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

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Sanj, Gants Hill says...
1:06pm Sun 1 Apr 07

As a resident of Gants Hill, I'm quite proud to have one of Essex's most famous nightclubs in our area!

It brings a lot of business to the area. Various bars, restaurants, pubs and hotels have benefitted immensely.

As a resident (and I live 5mins away), I've NEVER seen any trouble whatsoever apart from the odd occasion when people have been a little bit merry. However this is everywhere and unlike many areas (e.g. in the West-End, Brixton, Harrow, Ealing, Hatfield, Stevenage) I've never seen any anti-social behaviour.

I've frequented the place many times and again I've never seen any hint of trouble. Its normally good natured, lively and a great hang-out to wind down. My only complaint is the slightly high door prices but as a nightclub there's nothing wrong with it whatsoever.

Of course drugs are a problem in society and should not be tolerated and those guilty should be locked away. This in regard to Faces in a very, very, small minority and I hope this is taken into account.

Nobody wants to become a victim of over-zealous political correctness.


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Alysha Hussein, Hoxton says...
5:05pm Sun 1 Apr 07

I llllllllloooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeee faces. It's my life. Please don't close it down.

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jay p, woodford says...
12:16pm Mon 2 Apr 07

11 people get nicked in a night club and the old bill think they are heros .

concentrate on keeping the nonse cases off the streets than wasting 3 months on a night club.

why do the good young people of essex have to suffer and have there local club closed down due to a few charlie freaks .. shocking !

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Aimee, says...
12:41pm Mon 2 Apr 07

Nathan- i suggest you get a life!!!!!
If faces reopens which by the way im really hoping it does, i think you should take a little trip in there and you will see what we all mean by safe!! Faces is by far the best club i have been to, of course drugs go on but you tell us what club doesnt, this has all been blown way out of proportion and i really do suggest that the police concentrate on the bigger clubs to make an example of as faces is nothing compared to them!!!! My god wasting 3 months of their time to only get 11 arrests- what a JOKE!!!!!

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Marc K, Essex says...
12:43pm Mon 2 Apr 07

Drugs being sold in a nightclub.... What next, Big Mac's at McDonalds ? 3 months the police planned that ? 3 whole months. It's not exactly rocket science to know drugs would be sold there. In fact it's quite embarrasing the police choose to occupy so much time on it. Do they not think someone else is now going to see the drugs there. Faces was just used as an easy target to get some media attention. Not the clubs fault at all.

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Rus, Gants Hill says...
2:19pm Mon 2 Apr 07

I have had the best times of my life in FACES and it would be a tragedy if the council close it down. It is a shining beacon in the blackness that is Gants Hill. Please, please please let it stay!!!!

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Mercer, London says...
2:51pm Mon 2 Apr 07

Police have wasted there time,its gonna open again without a doubt and i hope it does,ill b gutted if it does close coz i love the place,drugs happen everywhere no one will ever stop it

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jay p, woodford says...
4:19pm Mon 2 Apr 07

have to agree with marc K i could of discovered they was knocking out a bit of chang in about 3 minutes , 3 months ?? it shows what dweebs we hire in the police force these days
i cant believe i actually have to pay these mongs tax money for such rubbish..

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Humbi, London says...
4:30pm Mon 2 Apr 07

"The operation today, linked with earlier arrests, will have a significant impact of the supply of Class A drugs in the Gants Hill area" - Have they been sniffing the stash?! If the police are stupid enough to think that the arrest of 11 people in a nightclub will put even the slightest dent in the copious amount of coke that is trading hands in this area, they're even more simple than I thought!

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Pablo E, Bogota says...
4:44pm Mon 2 Apr 07

Oh No! The police have closed down Faces. This is surely the end of my multi billion pound internation drug business. I wonder if I can transfer my supply to Hobnobs or any one of the 100's of bars, pubs and clubs in the area where drugs are freely available. I'll get you next time Gadget!

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Marc K, Essex says...
4:56pm Mon 2 Apr 07

After the death of teenagers across London the police have announced they are nearing the end of a 36 month operation to close down every Argos, B&Q, Homebase and any other store where knives are avaliable. They expect to make 6 arrests some time in 2009.

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Pablo E, Bogota says...
4:59pm Mon 2 Apr 07

Of course, the above post in no way suggests that drugs are available at hobnobs. I may be an international drug baron but I don't want to get sued as nobbling juries and my lawyer, Lionel Hutz, is expensive. The characters portrayed are fictional and any remeblence to those living or dead is co-incidental. I think that's me covered.

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jay, woodford says...
5:05pm Mon 2 Apr 07

if the O/B are gonna use faces as a scape goat for other clubs i suggest they should of done there home work there was a lot of O/B for a small bag of bumbles & a couple of wraps of hat . ive seen more drugs in tescos

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Brownie, Essex says...
5:06pm Mon 2 Apr 07

On a serious note. My jackets still in the cloakroom.

Wallop!

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Pablo E, 084-954 says...
5:07pm Mon 2 Apr 07

Police have also announced that as part of Operation Complete Misappropriation of Resources they will be installing CCTV in kitchens in the Redbridge area. Anyone waffling at 3 in the morning to their mates will be immediately sent to Guantanamo Bay. Nipper Reid of Redbridge police said in a statement "All people with roving jaws and runny noses can waffle but they can't hide. In other news, muggings at knifepoint in the Wanstead area have reached epedemic proportions although reports that these muggings are funding Famous Face memberships appear to be wide of the mark.

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Adam, Hainault says...
12:50am Tue 3 Apr 07

Stabbings seem to be going on all over the place in even the meekest parts of this area these days. Really, get your **** out of the office and stop people from killing on the street rather than justifying your next paycheck with this 'Class A' raid nonsense?

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the prawn, southend says...
6:14pm Tue 3 Apr 07

it's simple really, the clubs in london don't get raided cos they pay the right people, and the muppets who own faces clearly didn't pay enough. the only i want reopened is because there isn't enough pubs in the area to house all these eggs who can't go to faces anymore. orange faced simpletons.....be honest faces has well had it's daybold

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Morris Hickey, Chigwell says...
10:28pm Tue 3 Apr 07

"Prawn, Southend" does not have the guts to make such a statement under his/her true identity no doubt fear of the laws on libel. Prawn? More like a slug.

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Brownie, My house says...
2:48pm Wed 4 Apr 07

Morris........Can I call you Moishe?
I do not appreciate you casting aspursions against the prawn, he is a friend of mine and has a valid point. dont make me angry or you will feel the Wallop. are we clear kiss kiss

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Pablo E, Bogota says...
3:00pm Wed 4 Apr 07

I wonder how Mr Hickey squares one of his numerous posts - this time about a police-free woodford in light of a mugging - with his pleasure at a raid, three months in the planning with the following revelation posted on the guardian website today

Out of a total of 300 customers in the premises at the time of the operation, four were arrested for the possession of illegal substances which we understand to have been in small amounts for personal use only..


4 out of 300.

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jay, woodford says...
3:01pm Wed 4 Apr 07

prawn as much as that post tickles me the orange faced simpletons haha like it. Its harsh to say faces had its day as i remember people saying that exact same thing 12 years ago but it still lived on to this day where as country club never did ;o(
but as much as i agree where i dont enjoy going out with a load of mongs who are more worried what they look like than having a good time i would rather spend my time in there company than a mob from romford or southend who are more bothered about having a fight than there fake tan turn out..

hickey bore off you tool.!!

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Bawwy Proudfoot, london says...
3:05pm Wed 4 Apr 07

that my frwend is a wite touch !!!!!

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puggsy, proudfoots partner in crime says...
3:09pm Wed 4 Apr 07

does this mean i wont be able to park me cab in the rank outside boats on thursday .?

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Marc K, Essex says...
3:20pm Wed 4 Apr 07

Brownie, you got your coat back yet ?

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Jay P, woodford says...
3:24pm Wed 4 Apr 07

what the F*** am i gonna do on NYE now >.?

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Essex Bloke, Essexshire says...
3:37pm Wed 4 Apr 07

What are you lot talking about - you are in denial or simply lying about whats going on. I've been going to Faces since it was the Villa (ok I'm a bit older now and havn't been for 1 year). It's just a case of knowing who is dealing in there, as most dealers won't deal with the general public and will only deal to known individuals. The only shame is that they didn't arrest more than 11 scumbags! Its the losers that buy the drugs who the rest of us should blame for getting the club closed - no buyers = no sellers!

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Brownie, My yard says...
3:41pm Wed 4 Apr 07

Yes mate, I bribed the geezer with an eith of hat.............ill get me coat. Oh I already did ha ha ha Wallop!

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keely, east london says...
11:52pm Fri 6 Apr 07

GOOD GOD WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO????? LIKE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH STABBINGS,PEODIPHILES, MUGGERS, RAPISTS, IN THIS WORLD, AND WE HAVE THREE MONTHS WORTH OF POLICE TIME AND TAX PAYERS MONEY TO WATCH A NIGHTCLUB FOR 11 PEOPLE WHO HAD PROBELY ENOUGH DRUGS ON THEM TO HAVE A SMALL PARTY FOR MAYBE 5 PEOPLE. GET A GRIP, GO OUT AND FIND SOME REAL CRIMINALS... PS HAVE NOT BEEN TO FACES FOR ABOUT A YEAR, TOO FAKE LOUIS VUITTON FOR ME, BUT STRONGLY AGREE IT SHOULD BE KEPT OPEN THERES NO ATTITUDE, OR BAD VIBES, (I HAVE FRIENDS WHO GO.) ****

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kman, london says...
11:37pm Mon 9 Apr 07

i think what the police atchived was nothing,i mean what suit could not go to any club and find drugs. my self i ask 'what about 195',i think maybe its because of the post code ? well done police i fell so muh safer now you ve forced uncontroled drgs to the street.

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Anon, Gants Hill says...
3:20pm Thu 19 Apr 07

Ive been going to faces for over 10 years now i have to admit that its not how it used to be but thats beside the point. You can get drugs anywhere in this area and the gear thats sold in faces is really teething powder so when the police tested it i bet they felt like a right bunch of c***s
xxx

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