What a load of rubbish!
Rubbish behind shops in Dunstable Road, left by a gang
AN angry Bury Park property owner has hit out at a gang of youths who have left an area of land behind the home he owns strewn with piles of rubbish and daubed with graffiti.
The man, who we have agreed not to name, rents out a property above shops in Dunstable Road, close to the COGIC church.
But the area close to the entrance to his flat at the rear of the shops has become a dumping ground for hundreds of empty alcohol and soft drink bottles and takeaway cartons as upwards of 20 local youths, thought to be aged from around 12 to 21, are said to gather there on a nightly basis.
The owner said that he has seen youths deal drugs in the area, bricks have been torn off walls and the H&P was shown where youths have smashed a window and tried to wedge open some of the flats’ front doors.
He said that residents are regularly intimidated by the gang.
The man told the H&P: “These youths are drinking, breaking glass bottles and dealing drugs.
“It’s a real nightmare and very frustrating for the people living there.”
A spokesperson for Beds Police confirmed yesterday that they have been acting to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area.
She said: “We are aware of reports of anti-social behaviour in the privately owned car park behind the Lifestyles shop and the flats above it in Dunstable Road. While cleaning up the car park is the responsibility of the landlord who owns it, the community police team has tried to help by regularly visiting the location and has also worked with the council to try to find a long-term solution.
“Some time ago, the area PCSO successfully applied for funding to the council to get a security gate to restrict access to the car park to legitimate tenants only. However, the landlord did not take up the funding offer and as a result the access remained open.
“Since then, the policing team has continued to visit the location on patrol, but has found that the people gathered there are usually over 18 and not committing criminal offences, or claim to be there with the permission of the landlord. Obviously some tenants are finding the situation difficult, and we understand their frustration, however clearly officers and PCSOs are not able to be present in any location 24 hours a day and a permanent solution would be preferable.”
A spokesman for Luton Borough Council said: “We recently met the landlord to discuss cleaning up the area and putting measures in place to prevent any reoccurrence.
“At this meeting the landlord made a commitment to put up a gate at their own expense and advised us that work will commence shortly. We are currently working with the landlord and the community payback scheme to remove the waste and graffiti in the area.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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