'Notorious' Preston HMO described as 'hotbed of crime' under investigation after residents demand action
Preston City Council is investigating concerns raised by residents about an HMO described as a ‘hotbed of crime’.
The city council said it is working with Lancashire Police to address concerns about 27 West Cliff, off Fishergate Hill and close to Avenham Park and the railway station.
The house of multiple occupancy has been referred for an Anti-Social Behaviour case review after residents alleged the property was linked to crime, including burglary and drug dealing.
One neighbour told the Post the HMO is reportedly “a notorious drug den which has been operating openly for years”.
He said: “We and others have footage of drug deals being done midday in the street, people smoking crack in the ginnels and street next to the property. Most recently my wife and I were burgled just two hours after installing a new backdoor.
“The burglars smashed the door in at 4pm on a Saturday, stole my hand tools and armed themselves with scissors before calling a taxi. The burglar then assaulted the taxi driver.
“The problem address at no. 27 has been openly used as a base of operation for dealing drugs for years and should have been shut by authorities years ago, by revoking the landlord’s licence. Questions need to be asked why not.
“We want action. The threshold to close these premises down should not be the death of someone.
“We had this issue before with the Clifton and Essex Hotels, regarding multi-agency failure and the local authority creating a dangerous situation in a residential area by not taking the issue seriously.”
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What the city council said...
Preston City Council is aware of the property and says it is liaising with police to address residents’ concerns.
Chris Hayward, director of development and housing said: “We are aware of the property in question and are working closely with the police and the Council’s Community Safety team.
“At this stage, no action has been taken against the landlord, and the matter remains under review.
“However, the property has been referred for an Anti-Social Behaviour case review, and the Community Safety team are currently in the stages of collating information from the agencies involved.
“If all of this information meets the meets the legal threshold for a full case review to take place, the complainants and the agencies involved will consider what further measures may be necessary and appropriate to address this issue moving forwards.”