'Nightmare' street sparks police plea

3:00pm Monday 7th July 2008

FAMILIES in Didcot want more police patrolling their 'nightmare' road following problems with drugs, arson and late-night violence.

The residents of Laburnum Grove claim they are living in fear after a string of problems over the past three months. Since April 18, the police have been called to seven incidents in the street.

And, until recently, there was also a problem with squatters living in an empty flat.

Among the catalogue of incidents, a woman called the fire service when she saw a car on fire near her home in the early hours of Monday, June 23. Two other cars were also damaged in the same incident.

The following day, the residents were kept awake by a late-night disturbance involving a 24-year-old man, who was arrested for possessing a knife.

Other incidents have included three smashed windows, a man arrested for causing actual bodily harm, another suspected arson and two arrests for possession of drugs.

The residents, who include pensioners and disabled people, say the trouble is being caused by people coming from elsewhere.

Mother-of-one Karen Lloyd, 34, said: "This year there's been more problems in this street than there's ever been. It's a nightmare down here. The number of times the police are up here is unbelievable, but they should be here to stop the problems first. A lot of us are frightened to go to sleep, I didn't sleep for three nights one week.

"We don't feel safe and the kids don't either. We shouldn't have to live like this. There's been needles found and the kids could have easily pricked their fingers."

Mother-of-one Stacey Walker, 19, said she hated living in the road and would be moving to Oxford.

"It's the cars being set on fire and the drugs problem," she said. "I don't feel safe on the road."

Sgt Fraser Weller, of Didcot police, urged residents to contact him at the first sign of trouble. "It's not a problem area from the information I have been given," he said, "but if people report the incidents, then we will send officers down.

"The problems recently I think are a one-off. I think we've sorted out the problems with the squatters."

A Soha Housing spokesman, which owns several homes in the road, it had acted quickly to deal with unauthorised people living in one of its properties.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident on June 23 between 1 and 2.30am. They want to talk to a bald, stocky man, about 50, seen trying car doors. He later returned with a group of men in their 20s and 30s. If you can help, contact police on 08458 505505 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.

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