'We're winning the drugs war' (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

'We're winning the drugs war'

PC Kevin Harmsworth with a syringe found in the house in Manchester Road Ref: 99627-13POLICE in Swindon say they are slowly winning the battle with drugs on Manchester Road. It follows another successful eviction of known drug users in the area.

Officers from Swindon helped with the eviction at a property on Manchester Road at 9am yester-day.

When police arrived two people a male and female in their twenties were in the property.

Neither were tenants.

Inside the property the landlord and officers were met with rooms piled high with rubbish and discarded needles scattered across the floor.

In an upstairs room they also found a spoon in which was a small amount of heroin.

Acting Sgt Matt Barnett said: "The landlord contacted us and asked for our help as he feared for his own safety in getting the tenants to leave the property.

"We had also received a lot of complaints from local residents about the people living here.

"They reported shouting and fighting in the back garden at around 3am about drug debts and many said they were too frightened to walk along the alleyway that runs behind the houses."

Neighbours also complained of house prices in the area dropping because of all the comings and goings from the property.

Acting Sgt Barnett added: "We hope this will have a positive impact on the community.

"I think it sends out a clear message that if you are using your house for drug abuse and are causing a nuisance to others then we will act."

More than 35 people have been seen visiting the property in the last four weeks.

PC Kevin Harmsworth said that more residents were starting to come forward.

"A lot of people have realised they can speak to us anonymously and are happy to do this.

"Once they give us the lowdown on what is happening in the area, we can take things forward and involve the landlord and council."

This is the third successful eviction on Manchester Road within the last month.

On September 23, police helped evict two known drug addicts from a Manchester Road house and another resident from a different address in the road.

One resident who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals said police needed to monitor the properties regularly.

"The properties need to be boarded up or new tenants brought in to stop them coming back.

"The police need to keep patrolling the area as the drug users just keep coming back."

But the resident thinks police are doing what they can.

"We still get woken up at three in the morning, by all the shouting and arguing, and we are still having problems, but something is being done."

Swindon police are urging residents to contact them if there are any other problems.

To report a problem contact Swindon police on 01793 528111.

Stephanie Tye