Living here is a real nightmare (From Barry And District News)

Living here is a real nightmare

FRUSTRATED Barry residents are sick and tired of anti-social behaviour and drug problems they claim make their lives a misery.

Over the past few months, residents of Palmer Street say they have had to call out the fire brigade and police to put out fires that have been started deliberately and to deal with extreme cases of disturbance.

Parents also say they are frightened to let their kids play in the street after needles were found.

Claire Davies, 29, who lives in Palmer Street, said: "I have two young children.

"I am extremely worried about the drugs, particularly the needles. There are lots of children living in the street and parents are frightened to death to let them to go out to play in the street.

"The people in our street have been the victims of some extreme anti-social behaviour over the past few years.

"Gangs gather at the bottom of the street around the Palmerston House building. Time and time again cars have been burned out.

"There are people out in the street making a racket at all hours of the night.

"We have had to call the fire brigade out so many times to put out fires they have started.

"Palmer Street has always been a lovely place to live, some people in the road have spent their entire lives here, but something needs to be done because living here has become a nightmare."

The families have now appealed to their MP, John Smith, for help.

Mr Smith, who met with residents last week, said: "It is the actions of a minority, who don't necessarily even live on Palmer Street, who are making life difficult for everybody else.

"There is tremendous community spirit along Palmer Street and they are determined to fight this."