Solvent abusers make residents lives a misery

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Residents in the area, who are mainly elderly, told the Chronicle they have contacted police on a regular basis about youths who gather at the canal, behind Ards Shopping Centre, every week.

Last week, Fire and Rescue Service were called to the site, after youths set fire to a grass verge.

One resident told the Chronicle that every week from Thursday onwards, children as young as 12 congregate behind the houses to drink and abuse solvent.

"Every week, without fail, they come here. They come from all over: the West Winds, Scrabo - they are usually in the shopping centre and then come round here.

"They drink and sniff solvents to get high. I am constantly picking up empty canisters and bottles of alcohol that they litter the place with.

"They torment residents here. They painted a swastika on one man's door and abuse an ethnic man who lives here."

The man, who didn't want to be named for fear of reprisals, said residents often feel trapped in their own homes by the youths.

"Last weekend they set light to the grass. It is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or killed. Either one of them, through an accident, or one of the residents.

"The police are useless. They don't want to know, or care, what is going on here. But they will care when this hits the headlines, like mephadrone. The difference is, kids can easily buy canisters and nail polish to sniff and get high.

"They buy the stuff they need in the Shopping Centre and then come around here to get high and we are just meant to sit back and watch them wreck our street, our homes."

The resident contacted the police on Sunday about the fire.

He explained: "I phoned the police at 3.40pm on Sunday past. They told me they were too busy to come out."

A police spokesperson confirmed: €We have no record of this incident.

€However, police endeavour to respond to calls, as and when they come in, but due to the volume, calls have to be prioritised.

€Police in Ards are committed to delivering a professional service to everyone in the local area and while it is necessary to prioritise calls, officers respond as efficiently and effectively as possible.

€Anyone who is unhappy with police action should contact the office of the Police Ombudsman.€