Addicts are injecting drugs in broad daylight at a homeless shanty camp which has sprung up in suburban Wrexham.
That is the claim made by some Benjamin Road residents who live near to the camp and who also say they have to endure swearing and threatening behaviour from those who have made a home there.
Around 15 homeless people live at the site which is dotted with battered tents and has clothes lines slung up between trees and litter strewn around the camp, which resembles a smaller scale version of the notorious Jungle camp in Calais.
David Phillips lives near the shanty camp and he has begged Wrexham Council to clear the camp and find alternative accommodation for the people living there.
He said: “They have erected tents and makeshift shelters and are becoming a nuisance to the local resident’s of Benjamin Road.
“The loud shouting and bad language coming from this area is shocking at all hours of day and night.
“The drinking and large drug abuse is well out of hand,” said Mr Phillips
“The other morning I witnessed a lad injecting himself in the arm with drugs, something I have only ever seen on TV. I reported this straight to the council and local police.”
There are no toilets or sanitation in the area and Mr Phillips fears discarded needles could be a danger to adults and children.
“I would like to point out that all this is happening right next to a children’s playing area and football field where families are bring there children to play, God forbid if a child falls or finds a used needle,” he said.
Last Sunday Mr Phillips said he saw a man walking his dogs with his partner on the nearby “Dunks” playing field when he was threatened by two people thought to be homeless.
“I went out to assist this gentleman and the bad language and abuse was terrible,” said Mr Phillips.
“We have had a bit of support from the police,” said Mr Phillips: “But I am still waiting for a response from the council what they are going to do and if there is going to be an eviction.”
The numbers of people living at the camp swelled after the death of a homeless man at Capel y Groes, Bodhyfryd.
Benjamin Road residents also fear that the introduction of a Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) by the council - to clamp down on anti-social behaviour in the town centre - may see even more people move to the camp.
Earlier this week Daily Post spoke to Neil Maxted, one of the homeless people living at the camp, who told how he fears he won’t survive another winter and just wants a chance to find a home.
He told the Daily Post: “Its okay in the summer when the weather is warmer, but I don’t know if I can survive another winter in the cold,” he said.
“It is horrendous living in these conditions. All I want is some accommodation and a chance to start again.”
It is not an easy problem but Wrexham Council’s lead member for communities and partnerships, councillor Hugh Jones insisted action was being taken to find alternative accommodation and to keep the site clear of syringes and refuse.
He added: “There is a multi-agency approach underway to this issue to ensure there is a resolution to everyone’s satisfaction.”
see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/drug-addicts-wrexham-shanty-camp-11470243
No comments:
Post a Comment