Police have promised to work with residents to solve the issues surrounding allegations of a “drugs den” operating at a property in Keswick.
Rachel Gale, community police inspector for Allerdale, reassured residents that police were listening when she spoke to them personally outside a Keswick Town Council meeting at St John’s Parish Church last Thursday where the allegations were made.
Insp Gale, who has just taken on the role, said: “We are aware of concerns about a property the community reports has been the subject of anti-social behaviour, allegedly linked to drugs.
“In order to tackle this we are conducting a Streetsafe survey where we will go door-to-door visiting residents to ascertain the extent of the problem so that we can tackle it effectively. “
Insp Gale said the issue would also be referred to the Local Focus hub – where partners come together to tackle issues in the community – in order to co-ordinate a multi-agency response.
She added: “We continue to urge residents and councillors to ensure they report crime, anti-social behaviour and disorder to police on 101 or via our website – or, if it is relevant to the agency, to Allerdale Borough Council via the MyAllerdale app.”
The issue came to light at the town council meeting where residents claimed cannabis was being grown in the back garden of a property with visitors calling at all times of the day and night – even during lockdown.
In a statement, residents said “We are living next to a drugs den”.
A resident, whose name was not disclosed at the meeting, said: “We are constantly living in fear of the next anti-social incident.
“I have even seen human excrement in the street outside the property. I just want to know what is being doing about it.
“It is a continuous problem which has been going on for years. I am getting to the end of my tether.”
Town councillor Peter Terry spoke of being surprised and shocked to hear the claims.
He proposed the council send letters to the Police Authority, Allerdale Borough Council and Lake District National Park Authority as he said it seemed that the property is a house of multiple occupation without a required change of use.
He said: “This group of people are being plagued with problems and we must do all we can to help.”
Members agreed unanimously to support the move.
Councillor Tony Lywood said: “We need a multi-agency approach to deal with this” and newly-elected Keswick mayor Alan Dunn reassured residents: “We are going to do all we can to do something about this.”
