Call for action over rough sleepers using private bin stores to take drugs in Tipton

It is a problem that has been going on at Imperial Gardens, a private estate in Great Bridge, Tipton, since November 2018, it is claimed.

But fed-up residents say they are being "passed from pillar to post" between Sandwell Council, a maintenance company and West Midlands Police - with no end in sight.

However Sandwell Council claims some residents have "exacerbated the problem" by giving rough sleepers access codes to the site.

A joint-letter, signed by 80 residents, and addressed to Sandwell Council, said: "No one is prepared to take responsibility or appropriate action and we are getting frustrated with the fact this problem has been overlooked."

The letter continued: "The rough sleepers are using the bin stores as a place to shelter and sleep, as well as a toilet and somewhere to take drugs.

"They leave the bin stores in an appalling state, rummaging through the bins for necessities and leaving the remains of their unwanted finds around the floor.

"As you are aware, this is also a risk to public safety due to discarded syringes, pests and foul odours.

"Many residents are now too scared to access the bin stores as we are in fear of our safety, resulting in us leaving rubbish bags outside the doors, or just inside of the bins to avoid entering."

It is claimed Macclesfield-based Premier Estates - who residents pay to carry out cleaning, gardening and maintenance of the estate - has been forced to pay for security as a result.

But this has left residents footing the bill. Premier Estates declined to comment.

The bin stores are located in chambers along an alleyway where entry codes are required to access the site, on Scott Close and Doughty Close.

West Midlands Police also declined to comment and said the matter was one for Sandwell Council.

'Serious concern'

Councillor Joanne Hadley, cabinet member for homes, said: “This is a serious concern for people at this development but in part the problem has been exacerbated by the fact that some of the residents have given rough sleepers the code to the passcode security system to the bin area so they can gain entry.

“Obviously we would strongly urge residents not to give out the code to anyone, other than those entitled to use the area.

“Council officers were aware three people who were regularly rough sleeping at this site before Christmas and they were engaged with and agreed to be rehoused through the Housing First service.

“There are now reports of other people now using space for rough sleeping and we plan to work with the police to continue to have regular patrols with environmental protection officers.

"Our officers are repeatedly engaging with them in an attempt to provide them with necessary support to get them rehoused.

“This development is privately-owned and our anti-social behaviour team will be liaising with the management company of Imperial Gardens to work to resolve the situation.

"We will also ask a police design-out crime officer to visit the site to suggest additional security measures."

Sandwell Council works with a wide range of organisations to help rough sleepers by providing support and accommodation. If you are sleeping rough or see someone sleeping rough, you can contact Sandwell Council in the following ways:

• Email: rough_sleepers@sandwell.gov.uk

• Phone: 0121 368 1166 / 0121 569 6883 (out of hours)

• You can also contact Street Link if you are concerned about a rough sleeper: www.streetlink.org.uk

• Alternatively, if you do not have access to a phone or the internet, you can speak to a member of staff at one of our six Sandwell Local centres across Sandwell.