Property ‘unrentable due to dumped needles’
A LANDLORD says he has been unable to rent out a property for over a year – because of needles and other paraphernalia left by drug users outside.
Car insurance company Brentacre used to be based at the address on Mansel Street in Swansea city centre, but has moved to new premises leaving its former property empty.
Ever since, company director John White has wanted to let the property, but says prospective tenants have been put off by the debris left behind by drug users.
He said: “The property has been unoccupied for just over a year, and ever since there have been needles and other drug paraphernalia left in the car park. I’ve had people who want to rent the property, but they say only if the mess is all cleared up.
“It is very close to drug agency Barod, which provides needles to users, and I’ve contacted them but they have not been taking responsibility.
“And it’s the same with the council. I’ve contacted the environmental health department, but they say the same as it’s a private property. If I pay someone to do it, and they get injured or stabbed by a needle, I have to think about who is culpable.
“I’ve grown up working on the street, and I have watched its demise over the years. It used to have estate agents and solicitors and insurance brokers, but the street has been totally changed.”
The empty building is approximately 100 metres away from drug charity Barod, formerly Drugaid Cymru, and formerly Swansea Actions on Narcotics and Drugs (Sand).
Service manager Jamie Harris said: “The issue of drug use in Swansea is increasing, and we are one of 14 places which offer needle exchange, and one of three locally.
“There is also an increase in the visibility of homelessness. Many of those use drugs and alcohol, and their only means to use them are in public areas or on private property which means they have to trespass.
“The reason we supply needles is for harm reduction, but we always advise users to use them in an appropriate way and not to discard needles.
“We tell them not to use on the streets, but some will go where they can access running water and shelter. We hold open days where we can advise people on securing their properties. We are more than happy to come and help clean up discarded needles although there is sometimes difficulty if they are in areas that are risky to access. We do our own sweeps and will respond to reports of discarded needles.”
Mr Harris invited Mr White to contact them again with a view to addressing the discarded needles.