LIVING IN FEAR: Terrified residents on crime-ridden estate where the drug dealers rule speak out
CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 12 ARE BEING TARGETED BY DRUG DEALERS AND USERS IN BEVERLEY. LUCY LEESON REPORTS
Addicts smashing house and car windows, drug dealing in the street and endless sleepless nights. Residents on this Beverley housing estate say they are living in fear after unwillingly getting tangled up in the town’s drugs triangle.
Several residents have spoken to the Mail following police dawn raids in Schofield Avenue, Coltman Avenue and Warton Avenue on Friday, where four men were arrested.
They have described how gangs of youths congregate at a particular house into the early hours of the morning. They can be heard shouting and swearing and brazenly seen taking drugs.
One man says he had his house and car windows smashed after apprehending some of the youths.
He said: “We are scared in all honestly. We have got kids the same age and we don’t want them going out the house any more.
“You get gangs around here at all times and it makes you afraid to go out on your own, I would say we are living in fear.
“You daren’t say anything to them about it. I have tried before and we had our windows smashed.
“You get them riding up and down here on their mopeds and they are clipping the kerbs and going at all sorts of speeds.
“I am surprised no one has been killed or seriously hurt yet.”
Another man said he welcomed the action by police, which saw officers descend on the streets to break down doors and target suspected dealers and drug users.
The man said: “Enough is enough, it has got out of hand. They are drug dealing at all hours and the noise goes on into the early hours of the morning.
“You get kids here at all hours wanting drugs.”
A young mother said things had got so bad she wanted to move away from the area. She said: “This police action has been a long time coming. There is a lot of drug use and we want to get away.
“I have got young kids and I don’t like them playing out. They have been confined to the back garden as I don’t want them seeing what is going on.
“The whole estate has been screaming for this to happen. I am just glad the police are doing something.”
Four arrests were made on Friday, which included:
■ A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and supplying controlled drugs.
■ A 23-year-old is in custody suspected of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
■ A 20-year-old is suspected of possession to supply drugs other than Class A.
■ An 18-year-old is suspected of going AWOL from the Army.
Humberside Police say they are investigating the “wider circumstances” following the arrests.
Inspector Paul Hinch said: “As a result of these warrants we have arrested four men and recovered a quantity of what we believe to be Class A drugs and cannabis, stolen property and drug paraphernalia.
“We are now investigating the wider circumstances and whether these addresses are linked to Organised Crime Groups and County Lines gangs, who often exploit vulnerable young people by using them to distribute drugs.
“The supply and misuse of drugs by organised gangs – and the resulting criminal and antisocial behaviour– is a serious issue in towns and cities across the UK and our area is no exception.
“We know the harm it causes – often to the most vulnerable in our communities – and that’s why tackling this issue and
“You daren’t say anything to them about it. I have tried before and we had our windows smashed Resident
They are drug dealing at all hours and the noise goes on into the early hours of the morning. Resident
prosecuting those involved is such a high priority for us.”
Inspector Hinch has urged residents to continue reporting their concerns to police who will take action.
He said: “The residents are really pleased to see us and I urge them to keep reporting any incidents of suspicious activity. We are there to listen to people on that estate and deal with any incidents, so please keep reporting and we will keep acting.”
Inspector Hinch has also issued a warning to the criminals.
He said: “Some of the individuals we have information relating to them dealing drugs to young children as part of County Lines. If you are one of these and are dealing drugs to anyone, in particular the vulnerable, expect a knock on your door.”