We have to walk over ‘zombie’ neighbours jabbing class As into their feet outside our homes – our kids can’t go outside
TERRIFIED locals have revealed how they’re terrified of abusive neighbours who hurl dirty clothes into trees and terrify their kids.
Residents living in Nags Head estate in Tower Hamlets, London, say they are in constant fear as locals from the nearby shelter gather in walkways to shoot up drugs.
Parents said they won’t let their children play outside because residents from the Look Ahead hostel linger around their estate with “aggressive dogs”.
Jodie Maxwell, a 41-year-old beautician and mum-of-one, said she now warns delivery drivers not to leave parcels outside her ground floor flat after her son’s Christmas present was stolen one year.
Her bedroom backs onto what she described as the “drug run” – a narrow alleyway where drug deals frequently take place.
Earlier this year, the government announced that every police force in England and Wales would receive at least £1million to tackle antisocial behaviour (ASB).
But Tower Hamlets maintains ASB is “one of the biggest challenges” it faces.
LIVING NIGHTMARE
Another mum, who’s lived on the estate for five years but didn’t want to be named, said she frequently kicks people out of her block for doing Class As.
“I’ll come in with my kids and they’re there with their gear doing their business.
“You see them jabbing it in their foot,” she said.
“I kicked them out and because of that they wrote a racially abusive letter and stuck it to my door,” she added.
Outside one row of flats bags of rubbish and torn clothes adorn the trees, blocking out the sun.
Meanwhile, a man carrying a yellow sharps box meanders through the concrete apartment blocks collecting needles left behind from the previous night’s antics.
This is a common sight said one resident, who added the dim pathway has become a prime defecating spot for their neighbours.
She said: “Everybody’s had enough but Peabody isn’t doing anything about it.
“We wanted gates put up but Peabody hasn’t done anything because they said it’s a right of way.”
The 59-year-old mum has lived on the estate for over two decades but tells us she’s “too scared” to walk home at night – and “it’s only getting worse”.
“If you say something to them they tell you to f*** off,
“I don’t feel safe living here anymore. In the last two to three years I just don’t feel safe anymore. If I could move I would,” she said.
Laura Sheen, 40, who lives close by, added she often comes across human faeces when walking her dog.
If you say something to them they tell you to f*** off
Nags Head estate resident
She said: “They’ve defecated outside peoples houses. There’s often poo and it’s not dog poo.”
Despite their antisocial behaviour, however, some residents insist the antisocial neighbours are “not horrible people” and need serious support.
Millie Buck, 30, previously worked in mental health care at a Look Ahead shelter and although doesn’t live on the estate, is often there visiting family.
“I’ve got family members who are addicted to drugs, they’re vulnerable people. You’re entirely selfish when you’re on drugs,” she said.
How to deal with aggressive neighbours
The City of London police encourage you to raise your concerns with one another and find amicable solutions as early as possible.
If talking hasn’t worked and if you live in rented property or social housing, your landlord or housing association may be able to help you.
If the problem involves noise, such as a loud party or dogs barking, you should contact your local council as this isn’t a police matter.
For disagreements over boundary walls, fences, trees or hedges, contact Citizens Advice for free information and support.
In some cases you may also want to contact a solicitor. You can also refer to government guidance on the Party Wall etc Act 1996.
If you feel targeted or intimidated and if the problems have escalated or you’ve been threatened, verbally abused, or personally targeted please report the crime to us.
We would rather hear from you, and find ways to help, than find out that you were suffering in silence.
“Support needs to be increased. They need to be reminded about their part in society,
“Their lifestyles are leaking out onto the rest of the estate. My daughter calls them zombies,” she added.
The Look Ahead shelter on Hackney Road welcomes single people with a history of rough sleeping and who require high support needs, primarily around drug misuse.
The charity says it aims to offer “integrated” support to its inhabitants by working in partnership with the NHS and local authorities.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “We are committed to helping the people we support to be good neighbours.
“We take any concerns or complaints including those about any illegal or anti-social behaviour extremely seriously, working with neighbourhood teams, other community agencies and the police where appropriate.”
My daughter calls them zombies
Millie Buck
For one of its residents, Sadiq, the hostel was a lifeline when his career took a unexpected turn.
The 44-year-old used to be an engineer at Jaguar before becoming homeless and addicted to drugs.
“I can now stand on my two feet thanks to these guys,” he said.
For Melvin Austen, 66, the shelter is what’s keeping him off the streets.
Melvin used to work for British Waterway but after his partner died during the pandemic the decline in his mental health and a sequence of events led to him becoming homeless.
He’s lived at the hostel for two years and said it’s one of the nicest and cleanest he’s been in.
The Look Ahead hostel and Nags Head Estate buildings are both owned by Peabody, a not-for-profit housing association.
I just don’t feel safe living here anymore
Nags Head estate resident
For one of the estate’s tenants, this has brought up questions about the organisation’s priorities, insisting Peabody has “a duty” to look after them as well as those in the hostel.
“We need something to be done,” he said.
“Tenants are being abused when they come out of their house. There are flats where people feel like they can’t go out onto their balcony without being harassed.
“People from minority backgrounds are being abused for different issues. There was a case where someone tried to punch a resident and push them through the door,” he added.
A spokesperson for Peabody said: “We’re working with local partners to try and help tackle anti-social behaviour in the area.
“We’re speaking with the police, the council and organisations who manage local services to see what else can be done to support the community.”
Look Ahead's response
Our service supports local people in East London, helping them to move away from the devastating impact of rough sleeping.
Without services such as this, these individuals, many of whom are extremely vulnerable, would be back living on the streets.
As a non-profit support provider we work closely with the local authority, the building landlord and local health, social care and community partners to assess each resident and ensure their needs can be met safely within the local community.
We are committed to helping the people we support to be good neighbours. We take any concerns or complaints including those about any illegal or anti-social behaviour extremely seriously, working with neighbourhood teams, other community agencies and the police where appropriate.
We support individuals with a range of support needs including long histories of rough sleeping, experience of abuse and trauma, mental and physical health needs and drug and alcohol needs.
We work closely with the NHS including local GPs and specialist agencies to signpost, advise and help individuals to access the health-related support they may need.
For some individuals, this might be about accessing specialist drug rehabilitation services, provided by either the NHS or other specialist providers.
Funding challenges are common across the social care and supported housing sectors.
We actively advocate to both local and central government for adequate, sustainable funding so we can continue to support some of society’s most vulnerable individuals.