Residents of Charleston have branded their part of Dundee a “slum” where the elderly fear for their safety inside their own homes.
Tales of drug dealing, persistent noise and anti-social behaviour, vandalism, graffiti and criminal damage were all aired by angry locals at a meeting of the Charleston Tenants and Residents Association at Craigowan Sheltered Housing Complex on Tuesday.
Many spoke of their frustration at what they saw as delays in dealing with the many problems from the police, Dundee City Council and the staff of the authority’s anti-social behaviour team. Others said they were “terrified” by what was happening on the streets outside their front doors.
In some cases, they claimed, cases had been ongoing for months or even years without any apparent prospect of a resolution.
Attendees also complained about “undesirables” being given flats alongside vulnerable older people, gangs of youths causing trouble unchecked, unsanitary conditions in common closes and intimidating and bizarre behaviour by alcoholics.
Local councillors Bob Duncan, Alan Ross and Tom Ferguson were all present to hear about the problems, joined by local police Inspector David Scott and Sandra Thoms from the anti-social behaviour team. All urged residents to get in touch to let them know about the issues as they arose, and insisted there was no need to feel frightened of contacting the authorities. Information can be passed on anonymously if necessary.
“We have to investigate and get corroboration to all our complaints and if we don’t, then we wouldn’t be able to take action,” said Ms Thoms. “We really rely on you to help us in our job by giving us information.
“I am just as frustrated as anyone else in this room what you can do is help us to take action against these people.”
Many residents complained of a slow response to their concerns by the police and other authorities.
“I don’t think anybody acts on anything,” said one woman. “You don’t see the police because they don’t turn up. They just don’t show up for anti-social behaviour or for fights.
“The whole scheme is just becoming a slum and the only people we can speak to about it are not doing anything. We’re fed up of hearing about councillors, police and ASBOs that’s why we called this meeting.”
Another said, “It’s fairly obvious that Charleston as a scheme has gone right downhill. People are sitting in their own homes in fear and there’s only so much each agency can do.
“I think we need a larger police presence that’s the only way people are going to feel safe.”
Mr Duncan said residents were “painting a very, very bad picture.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I agree with you,” he added. “But we can help the police by phoning in as much information as we can.
“If we get lots of hotspots we can use that pressure to bring extra resources into the area, whether that’s CCTV or more officers. But we need you to help by making sure that we are getting all the information.”
Inspector Scott said Tayside Police’s community engagement team had now been redeployed in the Lochee area and residents would have an extra sergeant and six further officers at their disposal for the next three months.
“Please phone us and phone us again if you get no response,” he said. “We want to get to all calls as quickly as we can but we do get tied up in things. If your officer isn’t there within an hour, then there’s no problem with you phoning in again.”
Mr Ross said people should never be scared to call the police.
“In terms of reporting a crime there are a number of anonymous ways to do it,” he said. “You don’t have to give your name and address to police or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”
Mr Ferguson said Dundee City Council had a “corporate responsibility” to look after the area and its residents and that it didn’t need to be “brain of Britain” to see that the policy of letting flats above sheltered housing to anti-social tenants was inappropriate.
“We can’t make improvements happen overnight but from what I’m hearing tonight I’ll be looking into this.”