'We're being terrorised by drug dealers' say residents at a troubled block of flats Harborough

Residents are being terrorised by drug dealers at a troubled block of flats in Market Harborough, it’s been claimed.

Elderly tenants are living in fear of gangs at Northbank flats, off Coventry Road, the Harborough Mail has been told.

They have accused police and the landlord, Platform Housing Group, of totally failing to crack down on criminals and keep them safe.

And residents have been left shell-shocked after a woman was found dead by police at Northbank on the afternoon of Friday February 21. It is believed she died of an overdose.

One terrified tenant has now spoken to the Mail in a bid to blow the lid off the crisis at the 36-year-old town centre complex behind the Co-op shop.

The outraged resident, who was too scared to be named, said: “I don’t want to speak out in case I get targeted.

“But someone has to be brave enough to put their head above the parapet here.

“People are very frightened.

“I’ve lived here quite a few years and we’ve had our fair share of ups and downs with crime and drugs.

“But it’s getting worse and people have had enough – we just can’t see a way forward.

“Drugs are an ugly boil on the side of Market Harborough – and that boil should be lanced once and for all.”

Too intimidated to be even identified as a man or a woman in case of reprisals, they knew the woman who tragically died at a nearby bedsit.

The resident said the front doors and windows of two flats have now been boarded up.

“We fear both flats were taken over by drugs gangs – possibly involved with the violent County Lines criminals."

“A lot of people who live here are elderly – and quite a few are disabled too.

“It’s horrible for them being forced to live here just feet away from drug dealers, crooks and junkies.

“It’s totally intolerable they should be living here in terror day in day out.

“We are crying out for CCTV to help make us more secure.

“Cameras would also deter the culprits and make it easier for police to identify and catch the offenders.

“But nothing ever gets done – we need action and we need it now.”

They said dirty needles used for injecting hard drugs like heroin and drugs paraphernalia were frequently found – both in the 40-property complex and the grounds.

“We’ve even had our sheds taken away because junkies kept sleeping in them.

“Police know the dealers are here but don’t do enough to stop them,” said the resident.

“And we can never even get through to officers at Platform housing to complain in the first place.

“It’s an absolute joke.”

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman told the Mail officers went to a flat at Northbank at 3.35pm on Friday February 21.

She said: “We were called after a woman was found collapsed on the floor.

“She was subsequently pronounced deceased.”

She said her death was “not being treated as suspicious” and a file had been prepared for the coroner.

The spokeswoman confirmed that two flats at Northbank have been boarded up by the housing association.

“We are aware that concerns have been raised about the misuse of drugs there in the past.

“Police have conducted a number of operations in the area targeting those involved in any such offences,” she said.

“We know that there have been issues there.

“We would urge anyone living there to contact police immediately if they are worried about any suspicious activity.”

Harborough MP Neil O’Brien told the Mail: “This is simply not acceptable.

“Housing associations have to be very careful about putting chaotic tenants alongside older and vulnerable people.

“People who are using these flats to carry out criminal behaviour should get the boot.”

Cllr Phil King, leader of Harborough District Council, said: “This is deeply concerning for residents.

“Platform housing should deal with these issues and sort them out.

“I’m happy to meet Platform, see what they are doing to address this and find out if there’s anything more we can do to help.”

A Platform Housing Group spokeswoman said: “Our local teams have been working together with police to gather proof of the activities taking place and to establish and identify the causes.

“Regular visits have taken place, as well as conversations held with concerned customers.

“We have also taken action to remove non-tenants who were identified as the cause of antisocial behaviour in the flats.”

She said flats no12 and no40 have been boarded up as they “are currently both vacant and awaiting void works”.

Marion Duffy, Group Regional Operations Director (East) at Platform Housing Group said: “We take all reports of antisocial behaviour seriously and do all we can to tackle the issues raised.

“Cases such as this are always challenging as they rely on an active input from neighbours and other local residents and, understandably, this is not always forthcoming.”

She added: “Working with the local police, we will continue to actively address all the issues raised and encourage customers to work with us to help collate the evidence we need to take action.”