People living next to a Nottingham skatepark have told of their life on the road where they are "too scared to leave the house at night". A community in Hyson Green said they can hear people congregating late at night and setting fires at the Maples Street Skate Park.
Malcolm Heaton, who lives just next door from the park, said: "It is getting worse during winter because it gets dark very early. I have had my courtyard broken into once, and some people stole my motorbike.
"I have pulled out the motor, I always keep it out in case it gets stolen. They could not get too far."
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The 45-year-old chef added: "I found it dumped on Radford Road. They broke the fence, stole the motorbike, and then just dumped it in the street.
"They have dug a fire pit and they just burn things", he added. "And then they just leave laughing gas canisters in the park as well.
"There are large groups of people congregating at night. It could be used by children or teenagers, but it is more like a trouble hotspot."
When Nottinghamshire Live visited the park on Thursday (September 8), a number of nitrous oxide canisters were found on the ground. Ahmed Khan, a retired resident in Hyson Green, has lived near the skatepark for 25 years.
He added: "It is going downhill and it is getting worse every year. I do not leave the house at night.
"It is a shame because this park could have been a great place for children and young people. But in reality, it is just a spot where people who are looking for drugs and trouble meet."
The 70 year old added: "I think we need more police around here. It is actually getting worse when students come here, because it is busier.
"They all have cars and then you have no security when the road is packed with cars. There are no cameras at all, so it just feels like we are exposed to danger."
Emilia Woodgale, a healthcare assistant from Maples Street, said: "I feel like a lot of people are just anxious to live here. I actually tried to go to the gym last night and ended up turning back home instead.
"I forgot to set up the alarm, and I knew there were some people out and about in the park. They often shout at me, and just say things that make me feel uncomfortable.
"I got to the gym and called my boyfriend and walked back home instead while I had him on the phone", the 21 year old added. "It is just frightening because sometimes they are just shouting or fighting right on your doorstep."
Sergeant Daniel Griffin, of the City Central neighbourhood policing team, said: “It's a complete nuisance that people seem to have been abusing Nitrous oxide in this way. We are operating increased patrols in the area and are also working with the city council to target the offending and utilise the CCTV that's available there.
“We'd also like to remind people that littering is an offence and anyone found committing it will be fined.”
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