Two meetings have taken place to address safety and anti-social behaviour concerns in a small housing development in Portadown where residents claim they are being plagued by drugs, prostitution, threatening behaviour and intimidation.
One resident who spoke to Armagh I ahead of the meetings explained that the Ballybay Avenue area – which comprises no more than 19 bungalows in a cul-de-sac – has been for a period of around three years subjected to constant issues ranging from a vigilante “paedophile hunter mob” descending on a neighbouring property to alleged drug deals – including suspected heroin – occurring on their doorsteps.
This resident says that despite informing both police and the Housing Executive on multiple occasions about the issues they are experiencing, “nothing has been done” and they continue to “live in fear” while problem tenants “rule the roost”.
Describing life in the cul-de-sac before things started to disintegrate, the resident said: “It used to be such a quiet and happy place. All the neighbours knew one another and we used to sit outside over the summer and we had a karaoke machine and just enjoyed each other’s company.”
However, now he says “we have to be very careful because of the people who are going by giving threats”.
According to he and several others living in the area, complaints have been made repeatedly to both police and Housing Executive about the issues at hand.
At regular community meetings, representatives from both agencies would typically attend. There, they were told details of the more serious incidents alongside problems with fly-tipping, smashed windows, threats and unkempt properties.
However, in recent months residents say representatives from the Housing Executive had “stopped coming” to the meetings.
One resident added of the Housing Executive: “So far we have had six patch managers. They don’t last more than a couple of months before they move on. They say they have a process but nothing happens, it just gets worse.”
They also allege that “dozens” of people are “coming and going” from single properties and on one occasion claim to have witnessed people fleeing a property with “rucksacks” as police arrived.
Regarding the poor general upkeep of one property, they added: “The garden is so overgrown we have jokingly called it ‘the jungle’. We have been complaining over and over again to Housing Executive but it doesn’t change anything.
“They [problem residents] don’t take their rubbish out. They just leave it piling up. We had hoards of flies and mice. That was also reported but it took 18 months of fighting with Housing Executive to get it moved on.”
In the past, the residents voiced their frustrations to Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart. All agreed she has been extremely supportive of their plight but, again, has been unable to return any answers.
Since residents first contacted this publication on Friday (June 19), an urgent meeting request was sent out to the Housing Executive by Mrs Lockhart, to which the resident was invited to attend on June 25 at 10am.
A second meeting was scheduled on the same date, in the afternoon, at Corcrain Community Hub.
Armagh I attended the second meeting and met with residents who voiced concerns.
The individual who met with Ms Lockhart and representatives from the Housing Executive reported that the morning meeting had been “very positive” and that the MP had “put clear pressure” on the Housing Executive officials to follow up on residents’ reports.
At the second meeting – where the same Housing Executive representatives also attended alongside officers of the Local Policing Team and DUP Cllr Kyle Moutray – residents were handed ‘Incident Report’ diaries and asked to collate as much evidence in the diaries as possible to allow a case to be built against problem tenants.
One resident – disgruntled by the measure – said they had “repeatedly” filled out diaries in the past.
Questions were put to Housing Executive about what evidence was needed, how much was needed and whether any of it would lead to eviction.
The representatives clarified the process involved in that the strongest evidence comes from police reports, convictions and documentation. However, a stumbling block came when they arrived at timeframe for escalation of said evidence.
One of the issues with the process comes with a “lull” in anti-social behaviour, whereby if a significant period of time passes where no incidents have occurred, the Housing Executive’s Community Safety Team may be dissuaded from escalating the issue to their legal team to commence eviction proceedings.
To date, none of the issues addressed have ever been escalated beyond the Community Safety Team.
One resident said: “Are you waiting for someone to be killed, are you?”
Naturally, the Housing Executive were adamant that they didn’t wish for the situation to escalate beyond the current state of affairs, but again reinforced they have a procedure to follow.
Interrupting the meeting, one resident turned to this reporter and said: “For the record, the people in this area have had to live with this for three years. Everyone is just pointing the finger elsewhere. I personally believe the Housing Executive is in breach of its contract with their tenants and I will be in touch with a solicitor before this week is out to find out for certain.”
Cllr Kyle Moutray – who is a frequent presence at meetings in Corcrain – praised police for their intervention over the years.
However, he too, expressed sincere concerns for residents’ safety, especially given the run up to the July Twelfth celebrations, where anti-social behaviour can increase.
The message was clear from all officials in the room, “suspicions of criminal behaviour must always be reported to police in the first instance”. Beyond that residents were advised to document and report any non-emergency or non-criminal matters via 101 or online.
A spokesperson for police confirmed that they are aware of residents’ concerns around ongoing anti-social behaviour in the Ballybay area of Portadown.
Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Carolan said: “Our officers increased patrols in the area as a result of ongoing engagement with the community. Public safety is of paramount importance to us.
“We regularly meet with residents to discuss their concerns, and continue to liaise with our statutory partners as part of our ongoing work to keep Portadown safe.
“Anyone engaging in antisocial or criminal behaviour should be aware that it will be dealt with robustly.
“All reports that are made to police are investigated and, where offences have been committed, we will not hesitate to bring the perpetrators before the courts.
“Anyone who sees any ongoing anti-social behaviour should report it to police as it happens by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency. Reporting crimes or incidents that impact on your quality of life helps police to focus patrols where they’re needed and allows positive action to take place.”
In regards to the attendance of a “paedophile hunter” group, police confirmed they are conducting an investigation into attempted sexual communications with a child and have arrested a man aged in his 40s.
The arrest comes after officers were called to an address in the Portadown area on Tuesday, 2nd June. He remains in custody at this time as enquiries continue.
A spokesperson for NI Housing Executive said it takes all reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and works with voluntary and statutory agencies where necessary to address and resolve reports.
They added: “Over the last three years, we have investigated three anti-social behaviour cases regarding properties in Ballybay Avenue in Portadown. These cases have all been closed.
“We are investigating a current complaint of anti-social behaviour and we are engaging with the PSNI and elected representatives to address concerns raised by residents.”
A further meeting is due to take place between MP Carla Lockhart, officials of NI Housing Executive, police and residents in July.
Updates will be published when available.
