| Tom Bruce contacted the Tele because he fears for the safety of his mother, who has lived on the street in the Coldside area for 20 years.
He claims that needles, syringes and other dangerous items, including used sanitary items, are being discarded from windows of one of the tenement blocks every day.
When the Tele visited the tenement today a syringe was lying below the windows on the main pathway behind the flats, which was about ten yards from a children’s play park.
“This is happening on a regular basis — at least two or three times a week we have had to contact the council to get needles taken away from the back gardens,” said Mr Bruce.
“My daughter is four-years-old and she is often visiting at my mother’s flat.
“Just last week my daughter was walking the dog with my mother when a needle was thrown out of the window and landed about three feet away from them!
“There’s a lot of old people in the area and they shouldn’t have to put up with living in hell.
“It’s not fair on the children who also live and play in the area — they know to avoid that area outside the windows, but they shouldn’t have to.”
Mr Bruce expressed concern at the length of time he feels the council has allowed the problem to drag on in the area.
Tom concluded, “It’s gone on for over a year.
It’s crazy the council seems to be ignoring this serious issue.
“They seem to be turning their back on it.
“I just want my mother and the other residents to be able to live in peace.”
Just last week Mr Bruce claims he saw four needles lying near to the bin recess area amongst other strewn rubbish.
A spokesman for Dundee City Council said, “Any complaints will be investigated if residents contact the council’s anti-social behaviour team.
“There have been previous problems that have been dealt with in the past at that address.
“No current problems have been reported.”
A spokesman for Tayside Police said, “Tayside Police has received a number of calls regarding drug-related and anti-social behaviour in Fairbairn Street during the course of this year.
“Local officers continue to give the area attention and would appeal to residents and other members of the public to report any incidents and concerns to the force on 0845 600 5705.” |
