Frustrated residents say drugs and anti-social behaviour have blighted their neighbourhood for years as new footage emerges of people pushing each other and shouting in the streets.
People living and working in the Regency area of Brighton are reporting a rise in anti-social behaviour with “blasé” drug dealing and taking in their streets becoming a daily nuisance. Residents fear trouble is linked to hostels in the area.
The Argus met with residents to discuss the complex issues behind the problem and what can be done to help eradicate the issue.
Sitting down with one long-standing resident, the first thing she does is point out of the window and say: “That’s the drug corner over there.”
Later, as we delve deeper into the anti-social behaviour that has become a daily sight for her, she cuts short her sentence to point out two dealers that she sees so often she recognises them.
Over the 30 years that she has lived here, the thing that this resident says has changed the most is the attitude of those responsible. In years gone by there was some discretion in the drug taking – now there is none.
She said: “It’s pretty offensive really, they’re cooking and injecting drugs in the streets.
“The blasé attitude has taken over. They don’t see it [drug taking in the streets] as illegal.
“You rarely see any police. They would be wary of them before but now they don’t care.
“Police drive round and disperse them but ten seconds later they are back.”
Sussex Police said the force takes reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and "fully recognises the negative impact these issues have on our communities".
The Regency ward in Brighton is a designated hotspot area for policing, the force said, with "regular targeted patrols" and ongoing engagement from the local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO).
Speaking to residents, The Argus was told problems with anti-social behaviour can often be linked back to a number of hostels and supported accommodation in the Regency area.
They say that no one hostel is fully responsible for the issues – but one name comes up time and time again.
Phase One in Oriental Place is a supported living hostel which houses close to 50 people at any one time.
And while issues do not all stem from the one hostel, residents credit a few “bad apples” with fanning the flames of the issues.
The issues in and around Oriental Place are longstanding, residents say, but have mounted in recent years as the pressures of social services and the police continue to pin back what they can do to keep those in need off the streets and away from addiction.
On one occasion, one woman reported seeing as many as 17 people queuing up for drugs outside a basement flat in the area.
Another time, she said he had been threatened by a man with stolen hair salon scissors.
“I said to him ‘you must be in a really bad place’, and he broke down crying”, she recalled.
“I went into Phase One to see if the guy is alright and the police got involved.
“That was four years ago. He came out of jail and came to apologise and he’s since found god and turned his life around.”
As well as drug dealing there is anti-social behaviour and violence.
In more recent incidents, people living near Phase One say they have seen residents shoving each other in the streets.
Recent footage from Oriental Place shows people pushing each other on the street outside Phase One.
One resident added: “I live here with my son who has just turned six. When I moved in it was obvious that there was a big problem.
“The disturbances in the time since I have been here have been horrendous.
“I have no problem with Phase One being there when it is used for the intended purpose. It’s when the anti-social behaviour is so impactful that I can’t tolerate it.
“I’m sick to death of it.”
Read More: Drug issues in city 'like nothing I've ever seen', council leader warns
As with these types of problems, the issues behind the anti-social behaviour and rampant drug taking are varied and the conversation is nuanced.
While drug dealing and drug taking are a problem, it is also not lost on residents that a lack of resources for police and social services are also an issue.
This is not lost on Phase One, either. BHT, the charity which runs the hostel, said resources across all sectors are “stretched” and there is “limited” scope to mitigate the problems.
Residents said they were aware of the issues at the heart of the problem, including the mental health epidemic.
One resident said: “I imagine a lot of it is mental health or vulnerability. It’s a big social problem.
“They need more support. But everyone’s in the same boat.”
A spokeswoman for BHT acknowledged that there had been an increase in anti-social behaviour in recent months in the area surrounding Phase One as well as in Brighton more widely.
The charity spokesman added: “We are concerned about increased anti-social behaviour by Phase One residents and are also aware that many incidents are not related to residents of Phase One.
“The close proximity to other hostels and to the city centre can add to the problems in the area.
“We are aware from our neighbours that the current issues have not been as problematic in the past and we are being proactive in our work to address this increase and will continue to do so.
“There is a drug culture in the city that is easy to access, with limited resources to mitigate the problems this creates.
“Resources across all sectors have been stretched which has placed existing services under increased pressure.
“We are taking the matter very seriously and have taken, and will continue to take, action to work with the local community in addressing the issues raised.”
BHT added that it had been working with the city council and Sussex Police to mitigate the issues raised.
Brighton and Hove City Councillor Leslie Pumm, cabinet member for communities and equalities said he “completely understands” resident’s concerns.
He said: “Everybody deserves to live in an environment which is safe for them and their families and we are committed to doing all we can to improve the situation for people in this area of the city.
“Clearly there are serious issues which need to be addressed and changes which need to be made.
“This is a complex issue, but tackling anti-social behaviour in this area is a priority and we are working with partners on how best to do so.”
A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "In collaboration with partner agencies, we are actively addressing anti-social behaviour by identifying those responsible and taking appropriate action.
"While we recognise there is more to be done, we are committed to resolving these issues through continued joint efforts and targeted policing.
"Earlier this summer, a community meeting was held at Hove Town Hall for residents of Brunswick, Adelaide, and Regency wards, offering a platform to voice concerns about issues affecting their neighbourhoods.
"These valuable insights help us allocate resources more effectively and assist us in targeting areas of tension within communities.
"As part of our ongoing work, and following reports of drug dealing in the Regency area, Muhammed Ahmed, 40, of no fixed address, was charged on 19 September with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, possession of a Class A drug, and for possessing an offensive weapon in a private place.
"He appeared at Brighton Magistrates' Court on September 20 and was remanded in custody, with his next court date set for October 18.
"We continue to ask that all concerns relating to anti-social behaviour are reported to police, so that we can continue to work towards disrupting activity and improving the lives for those living, working, or visiting Brighton and Hove.
"You can do this online, by calling 101, or dialling 999 in an emergency."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel