A Birmingham resident has spoken of his fears for safety after a year of alleged intimidation by a gang of adults in his Quinton neighbourhood. The man, who asked not to be named, says he is now planning to leave his home in Moreton Close because the situation has become unbearable.
The trouble began with weekend disturbances but has escalated into daily disruptions, according to the resident. He claims a group of more than ten adults, aged in their twenties and thirties, are responsible for a range of issues including littering, drug use, loud noise, and intimidation.
Resident describes 'year of hell'
Speaking to BirminghamLive, the resident said: "This area never used to be like this. These people used to come every weekend until 4am, but now they're out in the middle of the week." He described being blocked in on his own driveway, with the group refusing to move when asked.
In one incident, the man claims a neighbour who complained about the group having their car leaned on was threatened with knives and had his tyres slashed. "It feels like intimidation and they're saying 'we're taking over and there's nothing you can do about it'," the resident added.
Drug use and litter blight the area
The resident says the smell of marijuana is so strong that he cannot put washing out to dry. He has also found laughing gas canisters, bottles of alcohol, and even knives and syringes on his walks. "It's intimidation of the highest order and they just don't care," he said.
He has handed in his notice to his landlord and is actively looking for somewhere else to live. "The only course of action is that I'm having to find somewhere else to live. I fear for my safety," he concluded.
Police response and advice
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We take reports of this kind very seriously, and we urge anyone who feels they may have been a victim of crime to report it to us. No-one should feel unsafe where they live and we have teams of Dedicated Neighbourhood Officers working closely within communities and acting on residents' concerns."
The spokesperson added that the force works with partners to tackle anti-social behaviour and regularly carries out targeted patrols aimed at specific issues. Residents can report crime via 101 or through Live Chat on the police website, where they can also find contact details for their local neighbourhood policing team.
