Cannabis cafe shuts

Caf operators have told police they have stopped selling cannabis from the Worthing premises, which will instead be used as a "drop-in" centre.

Detective Inspector Nigel Brown, who led the investigation, said: "This is an interesting and potentially positive development which I cautiously welcome.

"We have been told the premises will be used as a drop-in centre. We have not been told what sort of drop-in centre and await developments."

The news comes following high-visibility policing outside the caf, situated close to Worthing central railway station. This will now be scaled down.

DI Brown said: "We shall be taking steps to test the truth of this claim by the caf operators. In the meantime, there will be a reduction in the visible police activity at the premises. However, should it become apparent that drugs activity is continuing, we shall immediately re-apply our full range of policing tactics.

"If the premises have now ceased to operate as a cannabis caf, this will be the third such premises that we have successfully shut down and the last one operating in the district.

"This development does not alter our investigation into illegal drugs supply which has taken place up to now. Evidence gathering continues and this will be followed through to arrest and charging of those involved."

In July, unrelated plans to turn the building into a church were given the go-ahead. Police and planning officers are still liaising over the plans.