Life on the street where ‘drug-dealing is leaving residents scared to leave their homes’
‘TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS NOW, IT’S BEEN GOING ON’
IT’S 1.30pm on a Friday afternoon on, what should be at first glance, a quiet street in west Hull.
The only sound is the distant white noise of traffic on nearby Wold Road and the faint tinkle of wind chimes hanging in porches where elderly residents peek through the curtains. But it’s rarely this quiet.
For three years now, neighbours say they have been plagued by the carousel of vehicles pulling up to a flat on the street, exchanging wads of cash for wraps of heroin. Days before the Mail visited, police swarmed the close after a woman was found passed out in the street.
“We think she had been there for more than 24 hours”, says Paul, who has lived on the street most of his life but, like most residents, has asked not to have his full name published. The Mail is also not naming the street in question.
During the height of the pandemic, Humberside Police were able to carry out regular raids on properties linked to Hull’s drugs trade. On this particular tiny street alone, there were five last year – all connected to the same property.
Another resident told the Mail he has lost count of the number of times he has complained to the police and Hull City Council over what he claims is the relentless dealcomplaint ing, noise and antisocial behaviour. Scrolling through his “sent” folder in his inbox, he shows me the categorical list of messages sent to neighbourhood inspectors, councillors and local MP Emma Hardy since 2020.
Among the “evidence” he has accumulated are pictures and videos of what he believes is drug dealing in the street, bottles of methadone discarded outside his home and reams of registration numbers. “All of this, and it’s still going on,” he says.
“We see countless people turning up at all times of day and night. Two-and-a-half years now, it’s been going on.
“Only last night we had two blokes turning up in a black BMW. Once, police came to arrest someone and the door they’d bashed in was then accidentally boarded up with someone still inside - they were using the window to get out for three days.”
Like other residents on the street, he has felt compelled to increase security on the home he shares with his wife, dog, and cat.
In one particularly frightening incident, he claims men on bikes visiting the flat in question charged at his small dog as “target practice”.
Last month, he and several other neighbours grouped together to lodge an official with Humberside Police over their perceived lack of action over the ongoing drug dealing. This was internally investigated, with the force concluding it was satisfied with the service provided.
“These are not nice people turning up to the street. They will knock you off footpaths. They’ve already targeted my dog. Many people are afraid to go out.”
One mum who lives on the street told the Mail the problems left her constantly unnerved. “I’ve seen drug dealing regularly since I moved in,” she said.
“Recently, I noticed one young woman visiting the flat with her child, and leaving him outside while she went in. He looked about eight-years-old.
“It’s just disgusting really. I have health problems so don’t get out much, but when I am able to walk the dog I prefer to have someone with me. It shouldn’t be like that.”
What are Humberside Police doing about the issue?
Community Inspector David Lonsdale said numerous warrants had been carried out in this area recently, and that officers had been working to improve their engagement with residents.
“Over the past 12 months Hull West Neighbourhood Policing team having been holding street surgeries and proactively engaging with local residents and the community regarding their concerns,” he said. “As a part of our continued work a number of warrants have been carried out within the area in a bid to tackle crime.
“It is a small minority of people who cause disruption to the area – this behaviour will not be tolerated and as a partnership we are working tirelessly to take action.
“We understand the impact antisocial behaviour and drug use can have on our local communities and we are committed to working proactively and collectively with local partners, businesses and communities to take action to tackle these issues and hold those responsible to account.”
Insp Lonsdale added: “I would encourage anybody who has any concerns to please call us and speak to us, it is really important that you tell us about the issues in your local area as this informs our plans and allows us to take continue to take robust action against those committing offences.
“We would appeal for our communities to report any instances of drug use, criminal damage or antisocial behaviour to us on our 101 number, and to keep up to date with the latest action we are taking by signing up to My Community Alert.”
Have you experienced problems with drug dealing or antisocial behaviour on your street? Get in touch via email at news@hulldailymail.co.uk.