SOCIAL TROUBLE IN MORAWELON
RESIDENTS AND COUNCILLOR SAY THAT NOT ENOUGH IS BEING DONE
RESIDENTS living on an Anglesey housing estate say they’re “living in fear,” reporting open drug dealing and widespread anti-social behaviour.
According to one councillor, violence, drug and alcohol problems mean that many living at Peibio Close in the Morawelon area of Holyhead, have already been forced to leave their homes.
North Wales Police say they are working with Anglesey Council’s housing department, who plan to install CCTV cameras, but Cllr Shaun Redmond says that not enough is being done.
“Windows are being broken and threats have been made to residents in the close,” said Cllr Redmond.
“Drug users are visiting a particular flat for parties and or just to get their next fix. A dog has also been used to threaten people.
“I wouldn’t want people to think that Holyhead is like this generally, but with the Police’s lack of action, it does make you think if they’re trying to contain the problem in this one area.
“They don’t investigate drug dealing and usage issues properly.
“It’s well known who the main players are in Holyhead, but the police appear to be quite relaxed about it.”
But according to the force, they’re aware of the anti-social behaviour problems and over the past six months, have been working closely with the Housing Department at Anglesey Council, to resolve these problems.
A spokesman confirmed that all the matters that have been reported, have been investigated.
But one neighbour, who asked not to be identified, says he’s been afraid to leave the house for the past three years.
“Unless you’ve lived it, it’s hard to adequately explain how bad it’s got.
“When we report all these incidents to the council and police, they seem to all get caught up in red tape and nothing gets done.
“Broken windows is an everyday thing and the brazen drug dealing is just unreal.
“It’s reached the stage now that I need something at hand when opening the door, as you just don’t know who’s out there, and even had people knocking on the window at 11pm and asking if they can have some kitchen foil as they were ‘cooking a chicken.’ “No-one should have to live like this.” Police Inspector Jason Higgins, said: “We take all reports of drug dealing and usage very seriously and will act when there is sufficient evidence to support action against individuals involved in the supply of controlled drugs.
“Our local communities are a valuable source of information and I would encourage people to assist us by providing us with any information regarding drug dealing or indeed any other criminal activity in the Holyhead or wider Anglesey area.
“Possession and distribution of controlled drugs will not be tolerated in our communities and we will continue to take positive, robust action.
“However we can’t tackle this problem alone and key to all our work, and that of our partners, is intelligence and I cannot emphasise enough the importance of the community sharing their concerns with us.”
An Anglesey Council spokesperson confirmed they were looking to install CCTV to help capture evidence which may help police.
She added: “The Council in partnership with North Wales Police are working with tenants, local elected members and other stakeholders to tackle anti- social behaviour on this estate.
“Positive outcomes have been achieved recently to improve the well-being of our tenants.
“We do not condone anti-social behaviour, and if any of our tenants are involved, they are putting their tenancies at risk. We take the safety of our estates very seriously.”