‘Take action against people doing drugs in communal gardens’

RESIDENTS have called on police to take action against people who gather in communal gardens on their estate to smoke cannabis.

The groups are reportedly gathering at night in Watkins Road, off Upperton Road, in Leicester’s West End.

Officers have placed posters throughout the area to warn offenders that the area is being monitored.

One resident told the Mercury: “I welcome what the police are doing but it’s more than cannabis down here, we have people using heroin and people who are dealing.

“I’ve lived here for years and things are getting worse. Some of the problems come from people who live here, but there are also people who come here who don’t live around here.”

Another resident said: “I’ve seen the signs the police have put up and I was glad to see they are doing something about this problem.”

A police spokesman said: “We have received a number of calls in the last month from the public around the use of illegal drugs in the Watkin Road area of Leicester.

“Officers have carried out inquiries in the area and put posters up to remind people about the use of the illegal drugs. They will be continuing to monitor the situation and would ask anyone to report any drug activity to local officers, by calling 101 or reporting online.”

The offence of possession of cannabis can be punished with a jail term of up to five years, an unlimited fine or both.

Supply offences are dealt with more harshly by the courts, which can impose prison sentences of up to 14 years, an unlimited fine or both.