‘DRUG DEALS DAY & NIGHT’
Furious residents speak out
Furious Village residents have slammed the council for“ignoring”drug peddling on their own doorstep.
Tenants at Kirkton Place described a three-year ‘living hell’ plagued by drug dealers, claiming at least two flats in the street are a “revolving door” for drug users.
The main anti-social behaviour issues and drug-related activity, they claim, centres around a property raided by police in September, which was filmed by the News.
It is understood problems at the address have escalated dramatically since the former tenant, a notorious local dealer, died of an overdose in December.
Angry tenants say police are constantly being called out to the address.
One woman, who does not wish to be named, said: “There’s a rotating door of junkies throughout the day and up to 20 at night – it’s an absolute joke.
“The council just keep letting more and more undesirables in so the drug taking is getting worse and worse. We’re at breaking point now because no one is listening.”
The group of neighbours say they fear for their safety and the wellbeing of their children after finding used needles, blood-stained needle caps and pills scattered in the close.
One man even claimed he spotted a bag of what he believed to be cocaine being chucked out the back window of the property during last year’s raid.
“We’re finding used needles with blood in them, pills on the steps and drugs round the back”, another tenant told us.
“We’ve heard lassies throwing up on the pathway, seen people passed out on the stairs and a well-known ned pulled a knife on one of the neighbours.
“Residents with wee kids need to constantly be on their guard. The block up from me set the place on fire a month ago – it’s uninhabitable now.
“I’ve been here 18 years, this has always been a great wee street. But a lot of people have moved out because of what’s going on. It’s a disgrace.”
The News joined drug cops on the Kirkton Place bust based on intelligence that a woman was supplying heroin from the firstfloor flat.
It took an officer with a battering ram a number of attempts to smash through the front door because it had been barricaded with furniture from the inside.
A 38-year-old woman was charged with possession under the Misuse of Drugs Act and reported to the procurator fiscal after controlled drugs, believed to be illegal or fake Valium, were found.
South Lanarkshire Council confirmed they are aware of residents’ concerns and say they are working with police to address issues.
This week the News was told how emergency services were called to a block, where another dealer is believed to live, at the weekend.
One witness told us: “A girl was walking down the street out her face and waited for police to go before running back up for her stash. It’s 24/7, it’s horrendous.
“The biggest issue for me is housing are doing nothing, we just get palmed off.
“I’m so angry, this is affecting my mental health. They’re using this street as a dumping ground.
“I’ve got five bolts on my front door because they boot anyone’s door in when they’re out their face. My close smells of dope all the time.
“We shouldn’t have to live like this. I want them out.”
Residents say they have now taken to installing their own CCTV cameras for protection.
One tenant added: “Grown men living in the close are frightened to do anything about this.
“I’m constantly making calls to the council – I’m sick of it. We’ve had people breaking the door down to get into the block.
“Before they cut the number of folk staying at Lindsay House, we had a queue of people coming in and out that door. It was unbelievable.
“We’ve made so many complaints and nothing’s being done, I don’t think the council care.
Are they waiting on something worse happening before they do something?”
A police spokesman said: “We are aware of local resident’s concerns and are working to address them with our partners at South Lanarkshire Council. Officers are currently undertaking patrols in the local area in response to this matter.
“Drug-related crime is a priority for the Lanarkshire Division, and it is important that if residents are aware of any ongoing issues or concerns, they can report information to us via 101 or through Crimestoppers.”