DRUG ADDICTS TURN FLATS INTO 'SLUMS'

PETRIFIED residents in a block of city centre flats say drug addicts are
turning their homes into a slums and putting their lives at risk with
blood-smeared stairwells and discarded syringes.

The last straw for residents at Primrose House flats on Kirkgate came last
week when a cleaner had to be taken to hospital after she caught herself on
a needle and was left thanking her lucky stars that it did not pierce the skin.

But they say calls to the police and Wakefield and District Housing about
the drug-users who sleep rough in the corridors, sometimes by the dozen,
have made little difference and are demanding more action.

Resident Del Shaw, 48, said: "It really scared everyone when the cleaner
got pricked - she was lucky. But it is only a matter of time before
something even more serious happens.

"These people are on our doorsteps when we wake up in the morning and think
nothing of getting undressed and injecting right in front of us.

"These flats have been going downhill for years but Wakefield and District
Housing doesn't want to know."

Resident Graham Taylor, 45, has lived in the flats for the past year. He
said: "It's horrendous. People are too scared to open their doors at night
and no-one wants to be walking among blood and needles. My children come to
visit every other weekend."

Mr Taylor said residents pay more than UKP11 a month for security and
cleaning but are getting nothing in return. He said: "The cleaner is
expected to do her job with no equipment and police are supposed to patrol
the area, but I have never seen any."

Pensioner Winifred Doggett said she and her neighbours are at their wits' end.

She added: "We are living in danger and something needs to be done. This
place is turning into a slum. They shout and swear at us if we don't let
them in and there was a bottle of methadone in the lift the other day -
what if a child had found it?"

Local councillor Ron Halliday attended a meeting with the residents and
representatives from Wakefield District Housing and the police.

He said: "There is a problem and their concerns are being taken seriously."

Coun Halliday said he was waiting for a full report from Wakefield and
District Housing and that a policeman had been allocated to visit the area
on regular intervals.

Steve Rawson, director of operations for Wakefield and District Housing
said: "We have taken a number of actions to address tenants' concerns,
including installing new fencing, improving the locking mechanisms on fire
doors, advising tenants on preventing unauthorised access and looking at
how we can improve our cleaning service.

"We are also working closely with the police and will continue to keep
tenants regularly informed about the actions we are taking to resolve these
matters."

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "We are aware of problems with
anti-social behaviour and drug use in the area. We have increased patrols
and we regularly attend meetings with the local residents."

Anyone with concerns should contact the Wakefield city and towns
neighbourhood policing team on 0845 6060606.