Express & Star

Estate is plagued by drinking and drugs

Residents of a popular viewing point are being plagued by people parking their cars in the street, and congregating to drink alcohol and smoke drugs, it has emerged.

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Complaints have been made by people living around Speakers Close, Tividale. The estate is popular because it is a vantage point with a view which spans over the whole of Sandwell.

In recent weeks however, its residents have been affected by people parking their cars in the street, drinking, swearing and shouting, as well as smoking drugs at all times of day and even in the early hours of the morning.

Problems have coincided with the improvements in the weather. Sergeant Sam Archer, who is responsible for Tividale neighbourhood, said this had now been deemed a priority for officers.

Letters have already been dropped off at every household ahead of a meeting at Oakham Church, City Road, Tividale earlier this month to discuss problems.

She said: "The residents of Speakers Close have raised the issue of vehicles parking in the street, drinking, swearing and shouting, smoking drugs and acting in an anti-social manner at all times of day.

"This matter is seasonal and tends to start when the weather improves as Speakers Close is situated at the top of Tividale and is a local 'beauty spot' as it looks out over Sandwell.

"This matter has been non-crimed as an anti-social behaviour priority. Officers patrol the estate on every tour of duty, residents are being encouraged to dial 101 when vehicles are parked causing a nuisance.

"Anti-social behaviour signs have been placed on the lamp-posts in the street to deter vehicles parking up."

It comes after police pledged to keep their up efforts to combat problems around Trafalgar Court, Tividale, which has been described as being in such a terrible state of disrepair it is not clear if vandalism has taken place or not. The estate, off New Birmingham Road, is in such a poor condition police could not tell if reports of criminal damage were genuine.

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