A Knowsley man is “in despair” after years of anti social behaviour from his neighbours.
The man, who we have named Peter to protect his identity, has lived in the Beaconsfield area of Prescot for over 20 years.
Peter said that over the past decade the street where he lives has “just kept on getting worse and worse” with increasing levels of anti social behaviour.
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The problem is so bad, Peter said, that he often takes himself off in his car, sitting in it for hours “for a bit of peace and so I can get some sleep.”
Feeling increasingly “in despair” by the noise levels and anti social behaviour issues around him, Peter said he has contacted his housing association, Livv Housing, which manages many of the properties in the area for support.
However he said he has found himself in a “revolving door” after recently being told one of his cases was being closed due to lack of evidence.
Speaking to the ECHO, he said: “Over the last 10 years I have had so many issues with anti social behaviour and drug dealers.
“I’m in bad health, I’ve had eight heart attacks, two benign tumours, a bypass. On top of all that, I’m having to deal with this.
“I’ve got to the point when I don’t want to be here, I don’t want to wake up in the morning.”
Peter said the area was a “really nice part when I moved in” but fears in recent years it has become a “dumping ground” amid escalating anti social behaviour.
His brother, who we have called Sam to protect his identity, said the family have been left worried about the man’s state of mind due to the ongoing situation.
Sam told the ECHO: “He’s getting no rest, no peace and it’s not just him, it’s all the good neighbours around here as well, they’ve all been threatened.
“We’ve been concerned for him quite a few times, it’s what it does to your state of mind when you’re dealing with 24 hour parties during the rough periods.”
Peter said that part of the problem with getting his complaints dealt with by Livv Housing is because they ask him to use a noise app on his phone, something he has not found straightforward to use.
Peter said: “I’ve got a noise app they gave me, but by the time I get the code off my phone and everything else they’ve gone back quiet again and another half an hour and it’s kicked off again.
“They [Livv Housing] said to me that if I haven’t used the noise app they’ll have to close my case down.”
His brother Sam added: “Livv housing are not making enquiries just making decisions for him. They’re trying to force him into another flat, which he doesn’t want as he’d be the stranger there.”
Peter said he just wants the issues “sorting out” and to feel listened to. He said: “I just want them either to sort the neighbours out by doing something, to actually listen and do something about it because it’s getting beyond a joke, or to move me somewhere I’ll be able to get some peace.
He added: “An officer came yesterday and said there’s no way they’ll offer me a house, they’re not interested. We’re basically up against a brick wall and we don’t know where to turn.”
Sam said: “We just want someone to listen and act, nobody seems to be willing to take it on. There will be more residents feeling this way, but people are scared.
“As tenants there is a duty to look after their property. Well the tenants need looking after too.”
Livv Housing was contacted for comment about Peter’s situation and executive director of customer insight at Livv Housing Group Amanda Newton, said she was aware of the “noise issues” Peter is experiencing.
Ms Newton said: “After receiving initial noise recordings, home visits were completed, and a verbal and written warning was issued to the perpetrator.
“However, since then, we haven’t received any further evidence of nuisance.”
Ms Newton added that Livv Housing had worked closely with Peter and “explained that we need him to continue to collect evidence to enable us to take this further.”
She added: “We can only take further action, such as starting legal proceedings, if we have enough evidence and intelligence to support the decision making of a judge. Only the person living in the home affected can collect this.”
Ms Newton said that Peter had been offered a new home but this had been declined because he wanted a house instead of a flat.
She said: “Unfortunately, as a single person, he doesn’t qualify for a two-bedroom home, and we’ve not received any supporting evidence to prove he needs anything bigger.
“Two-bedroom homes are in great demand, and we have to be clear about the actual housing need of all people waiting to be housed.”
Ms Newton added that her team “has been checking in” with Peter regularly and said: “We’ll continue to work with him to support him as best we can.”
Ms Newton said: “We’ll also continue to work with our partners, including the police, to tackle any instances of anti- social behaviour. We always take these reports seriously as we appreciate the impact that this type of behaviour can have on people.
“We’ll always look to take action if we have enough evidence and intelligence to support that.”
Merseyside Police said that anyone with concerns about where they live or if they have information about the storage, supply and possession of drugs, to contact @MerPolCC or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or call 999 if a crime is in progress.
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