Tunstalll residents feel 'unsafe at home' in wake of crime and antisocial behaviour

FAMILIES are urging a charity to install a barrier on its car park after claiming the site is attracting boy racers and drug users.

Residents living near the Salvation Army car park, in Tunstall, have been left frightened in their own homes.

Their complaints include boy racers, drug dealing and couples parking on the Goodfellow Street car park to have sex.

In one of the latest incidents an out-of-control car ploughed through a fence panel and ended up just yards from a set of bungalows.

The problem particularly affects tenants in Holland Street who live opposite the car park.

Mother-of-four June Ferrell, aged 74, said: I have lived here about 14 years and it just keeps getting worse.

"There are a lot of older people who live in these homes and it is concerning for them.

"Recently a car was set on fire on the car park and it is scary to think that the flames could have easily spread."

Neighbour Joan Ravenscroft, aged 79, who has five grandchildren, said: "There are always cars racing up and down.

"It makes us feel unsafe in our own homes.

"It isn't something that we want on our doorstep."

Graffiti has been scrawled across the floor of the car park and empty alcohol bottles and drug syringes have been dumped by the fence panels.

The fencing and adjacent homes are owned by Staffordshire Housing Group.

It will cost £170 to repair the fence panel.

Anti-vandal paint will also be applied to the fencing to try to boost security.

Housing manager Dave Allcock said: "We work very closely with the police in Tunstall to deal with any issues that are reported to either of us.

"If any residents have concerns about anti-social behaviour we encourage them to let us and the police know so we can help."

The Salvation Army building, in Dunning Street, is used as a church and for community activities.

A Salvation Army spokesman said: "We are part of the community and take every concern about any anti-social behaviour seriously.

"Tunstall Hall is a community facility and we serve all the community in the area.

"We have a close working relationship with the police, the local authority and Staffordshire Housing to ensure that together we can defuse any difficult situation that may arise.

"We would encourage any local resident to come and speak to us and the police if they believe there is any anti-social behaviour."

Police have stepped up patrols following the residents' complaints.

Sergeant Paul Clarke, of Staffordshire Police, said: "We have recently been made aware of some anti-social behaviour issues on this car park.

"To identify exactly what the issues are officers will be carrying out increased high-visibility patrols and talking to residents. We can then work together with local people and relevant partners to resolve their concerns.

"We treat all reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and I would encourage people with concerns to speak to their local officer, or call us on 101."