‘Sex workers and drug dealers are ruining my business...’
RESTAURANT OWNER CLAIMS FLY-TIPPING AND FIRES ARE ALSO A BIG PROBLEM
THE owner of a Salford restaurant claims sex workers and drug dealers are operating outside his premises at least twice a day – and it’s having a ‘significant impact’ on his business.
Fly-tipping and arson are among some of the other issues frequently taking place outside the business on Cottenham Lane. The owner says the problems are putting off customers who do not feel safe on the street.
And despite installing 36 CCTV cameras around the building, it has still not deterred criminals.
The owner, who did not wish to give his name, said: “The council is saying this is an everyday issue and can’t do anything about it.
“We see people bring young females in their car. We see this happening every day, at least twice a day.
“It could be more. I see them in their car for hours.
“Our customers say, ‘What if I park my car and someone scratches or breaks it?’
“They feel insecure and it’s having a negative impact on our business.”
The 40-year-old owner claims around three fires have been deliberately set outside the business over the last year – coming ‘metres’ from the fence outside the premises. Police and HMRC officers were also called to the street after a lorry full of cigarettes was left parked up along the road. He continued: “If they closed the road at the end of Cottenham Lane it would reduce the ongoing crimes.
“It would reduce the fly-tipping, the road accidents, the arson, the prostitution and the drug-dealing.
“Drug deals happen on the site around three to four times a week because it’s a dead end.
“This is having a significant negative impact on our company because customers don’t feel safe in this area.” A spokesman for Salford City Council said: “We have had permanent CCTV surveillance at this location since 2014 to successfully tackle fly-tipping and the cameras operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “If our camera operators spot criminal activity they can and do immediately alert the police via a link to the police radio.
“We have not received reports of the criminal activities described but as the business prepares to reopen as lockdown regulations ease we will contact the owner to discuss his concerns. “We work closely with the police as part of the Salford Community Safety Partnership.”
Our customers say, ‘What if I park my car and someone scratches or breaks it?’ Salford restaurant owner