Finally some respite for Buckland residents

AS if we don’t have enough to contend with at the moment having to live with a pandemic that has wreaked havoc on our lives.

But the good people of Seymour Close in Buckland have also had to endure living among a drug-dealing gang who made their lives a misery.

Terrified residents plagued by Shariff Shakur were so scared they refused to let their children play outside as the 18-yearold caused mayhem on a ‘daily basis’.

Shakur was previously hauled before magistrates after being caught three times with £4,600 worth of heroin and crack cocaine.

The thug and his cohorts also committed vehicle crime, threatened violence to residents, damaged property and caused high levels of nuisance all over the estate,

Fortunately for the residents, Portsmouth City Council has won an interim civil injunction against Shakur, banning him from the entire area of Buckland.

It has been backed by the police.

One resident told police Shakur’s group would act ‘ as if they owned the estate’ and added: ‘I have had enough of these people, they just laugh at the police, they have no fear.’

Well, they need not fear any more after the injunction, which, if he flouts, he will be arrested.

Life is hard enough at the moment given the current climate, while the pressure on public services has never been higher.

Front-line workers are under enough pressure without having to deal with people of Shakur’s ilk.

Sadly, there are too many antisocial people on our streets and at times it may appear that the police and council are fighting a losing battle to rid us of this type of behaviour.

At least, for now, the people of Buckland can have some respite.