8-YEAR-OLD KIDS USING DRUGS DEN

Angela Murphy • Published 15 Jul 2009 16:36

A JOHNSTONE man says junkies are "terrorising" the lives of a group of tenants.

The High Street resident who asked not to be named for fear of his own safety claims teenage thugs are using his building as a "drink and drug den" at weekends.

Vandals have targeted the address by continually smashing windows, spraying graffiti and even taking drugs in the close.

The source blasted: 'It"s been going on for years and the cops and the council aren"t doing a thing to stop it.

'The kids are as young as eight-years-old and they"re running riot.

'They urinate in the close, smash windows and are writing their names on the wall.

'I"ve been here for four years and it"s been nothing but trouble.

'My hallway is being used as a drink and drug den at weekends.

'All people here want to do is live peacefully, not in fear of kids and junkies terrorising our building.'

A full bag of cannabis and other drug-taking equipment was left behind the last time the thugs were chased out of the tenement close - just some of the unsavoury items left behind at weekends.

Our photographer captured an electricity meter hanging off a wall after it was deliberately forced open and a communal handrail so badly damaged it now presents a danger to residents.

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: 'We are dealing with this situation through a multi-agency approach, with our anti-social behaviour investigations team (ASIST) and the Renfrewshire wardens service working closely with the police.

'Over the past few months, a number of initiatives, including leaflet drops, joint visits with the housing officer and a joint housing surgery with police, housing and ASIST have all been run to encourage residents to report their concerns.

'The main aim is to identify those youths who are responsible so that further action can be taken.

'We will continue to work with residents to try to identify those responsible and the wardens will continue to patrol with the police both on foot and using the mobile CCTV van.

'We would urge anyone with information about or who witnesses anti-social behaviour call the anti-social behaviour helpline on 0800 169 1283.'

Are thugs and vandals plighting your street?

Call Angela in the newsroom on 0141 435 8843 or email amurphy@cfpress.co.uk.

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This article appeared in The Gazette 15 Jul 09

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