Bold new moves to combat “criminal activity” and violent drug dealing at a troubled block of flats in Harborough

Council chiefs and housing bosses held talks in a bid to stamp out problems at Northbank Flats on Coventry Road
Northbank Flats on Coventry Road, Harborough.Northbank Flats on Coventry Road, Harborough.
Northbank Flats on Coventry Road, Harborough.

Worried residents are welcoming bold new moves to combat “criminal activity” and violent drug dealing at a troubled block of flats in Market Harborough.

They reacted positively after council chiefs and housing bosses held crucial talks in a bid to stamp out persistent law and order problems at Northbank Flats on Coventry Road.

The get-together was quickly set up after a terrified tenant told the Harborough Mail earlier this month that elderly people are being terrorised by drug dealers at the 40-property town centre complex.

They accused police and the landlord, Platform Housing Group, of failing to crack down on criminals and keep them safe.

Now the long-term flatholder, who’s too scared to be named, told the Mail: “This is a real step in the right direction on the face of it.

“We are pleased that some sort of action is finally being taken.

“But let’s be under no illusions here.

“Our housing officials, the police and the council have known about this crisis here for years.

“And they’ve done nothing until our story appeared in the Harborough Mail.”

A Harborough District Council spokesman said: “Platform Housing Group, which owns and manage the flats off Coventry Road, and the district council have been aware of ongoing issues, and have been working with the police and other agencies to develop local solutions.

“As a result of the meeting, a new local lettings policy will be put in place at the flats with enhanced arrangements.

“This will ensure that the housing group are better able to ensure the safety and wellbeing of customers already living there.”

The anonymous whistleblower said hardcore drug gangs had moved in and taken over flats in a so-called ‘cuckooing’ hijack.

“The flats will also have a dedicated housing officer to advise customers on how to protect themselves from issues such as exploitation or ‘cuckooing’ whereby criminals can take over the home of a vulnerable person in order to use it as a base for drug dealing,” said the council spokesman.

“Customers will be kept up to date with plans and actions taking place through the introduction of a local newsletter.

“This will include the housing officer contact details, and updates on regular site inspections that will continue to take place.”

Cllr Phil King, leader of the district council, said: “It is important that we do all we can to protect potentially vulnerable people in our district.

“I am pleased that a meeting has taken place and a positive way forward has been agreed.”

Marion Duffy, Chief Operating Officer at Platform Housing Group, said: “We will continue to do all we can to tackle the anti-social behaviour issues at Northbank flats.

“Working with the local police and Harborough District Council we are committed to taking appropriate action to protect our customers.”

The outraged tenant alerted the Mail after a woman was found dead by police at Northbank on the afternoon of Friday February 21.

The middle-aged woman is suspected to have died of a drugs overdose at the 36-year-old block.

The insider said: “Platform and the council have got to be much stricter in who they allow to live here alongside us.

“Every prospective tenant has got to be properly vetted from top to bottom.

“Most of the people here at Northbank are elderly and vulnerable.

“And almost all of us have serious underlying health problems – even without the coronavirus crisis.

“So the last thing we want is violent drug dealers, criminals and thugs being moved in.”

They added: “People here are very frightened – otherwise a lot more would be speaking out.

“Northbank used to be a much more joyful, safer place to live and we had a fantastic community spirit.

“That’s tragically been broken down by years of moving troubled misfits in – and criminals forcing their way in.

“So we’ll be keeping a close eye to make sure that Platform, the council and police are as good as their word.

“Promises and fine words are one thing.

“But practical action and making sure that we are safer and happier in the months and years to come are quite another.”