The UK town where locals are terrified as high street taken over by 'druggies and drunks'

Residents of a UK town have been left terrified and suffering from sleepless nights as they say their town has been swept by drug addicts and drunks - but nothing is being done about it.

Multiple reports of rough sleepers and drug-takers allegedly forcing entry to an abandoned shop in Chatham High Street have been made to the police. Now residents are questioning what the Labour council will do about the growing issue.

One concerned resident, questioned council leader Vince Maple, and chief executive Richard Hicks, at the Medway Matters Live event that was held on October 8, KentOnline reports.

They said: "It's awful and its been going on for months. It's constant and it goes around and round and it's going nowhere. I am regularly kept up by homeless people, druggies and drunks, and I've reported it again and again."

Other attendees of the public meeting also shared that they feel unsafe in the town centre, and questioned the council on what is being done to improve matters, including one woman who said she is often worried about her mum going there.

She added: "I think it's particularly difficult for vulnerable and older people. There are people screaming their heads off,homeless people begging for money, it's not clean.

"A number of shops have not reopened. It's an area you do feel more vulnerable by the fact that there's not an active police presence."

Councillor Maple and Mr Hicks assured that work is being done by both the council and police to make high streets safer.

The council leader said: "One of the schemes which has had a tremendous impact is the street ambassadors and there are residents seeing a direct impact. I think there are some reasons why Chatham has issues, including following the early release scheme which I did not support.

"It's a priority to make sure these spaces are safe for local people. We can make promises, but I'm not going to say by Saturday evening everything will be fine."

Mr Hicks added that the police are unable to "see the full scale of the problem" because situation retailers are not reporting the problems. However, claims that if more people are drawn to the High Street, then "the more crime goes down".

The executive said: "We need to improve our high streets, make them places people want to be, and we should see that area change."

In response to the concerns raised at the meeting, Medway Council said its community safety team is continuing to work with various services including CCTV operators and local police to address the issues in the town.

A council spokesperson said: "Discussions are also ongoing with the teams which regularly offer support and advice to rough sleepers. Chatham High Street remains a priority for our community safety team and we will continue to work with partners to resolve any issues affecting the area."