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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Will Maule

Couple 'forced to move out' after neighbours from hell cause havoc on street

A couple from Middlesbrough have said they have no choice but to move out of their house due to relentless trouble with their neighbours.

The nightmare neighbours received 38 police complaints in just two months, with reports of drug dealing, disorder and escalating violence which left local residents feeling nervous and unsafe.

Cleveland Police and Middlesbrough Council eventually decided to close it down, but some residents on the street have taken matters into their own hands and chosen to move away from the area for good.

One neighbour, who has lived on the troubled street for eight years, recalled the continuous ordeal he and his partner have faced after being constantly disrupted by the nightmare neighbours.

The resident, who chose to remain anonymous, told Teesside Live : "We've lived here for eight years now and we've seen drug dealing and fighting both in the house and out on the street. The problems have been going on for five or six years now.

"Our lass has called the police almost every day to report what's been going on and it's really been affecting our everyday lives. We've been getting woken up at all hours with people banging on the door next to us, we've even seen cars and caravans on the street getting their windows smashed in. We're so fed up we're moving away a week after Christmas."

Residents on the street have become fed up with the constant trouble (Eden Lewis)

A Cleveland Police neighbourhood team has been working with the landlord of the problem property - along with Middlesbrough Council and the local community - to address the issues.

In November they executed a drugs warrant on the property and seized a significant amount of suspected crack cocaine and heroin.

Two arrests were also made.

The neighbour recalled having people banging on his door, arguing and taking drugs outside.

He added: "Since the house was boarded up it's been so quiet and we've had no issues, but we're still deciding to move away just in case it happens again with whoever eventually moves in."

In November a significant amount of suspected drugs was seized at the property (Eden Lewis)

Another resident on the street says he has not been directly impacted by the disorder but has witnessed how much it has impacted the local community, particularly the youth.

He said: "We've lived here for about three years but we've only really noticed things happening over the last year or so. I know a lot of people in the street have been complaining about it so it's good something has finally been done. I haven't seen what's been going on as much but I have heard people arguing in the street and banging on doors in the early hours.

"In the summer I saw people who were from the house walking along the street obviously off their faces which was awful for the kids who were out playing in the street."

The two problematic tenants have now left the property and the house has been closed down, following a successful application by police and council from Teesside Crown Court.

Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Sergeant John Sproson said: “Yet again we have listened to concerns raised from our local communities and acted upon it. Working with partners we are now able to ensure that the misery caused by the individuals stops and those living in the vicinity can live more peacefully.

“It is unacceptable for people to behave in a way that makes others live in fear, and it won’t be tolerated in our area. Please report any issues to us so that we can act upon it and deal with criminal offences accordingly.”

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: “Well done to Middlesbrough coppers and Council staff. Let’s have more of this please and hopefully we’ll see the troublemakers kicked out of town - for good.”

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