Twice a day, residents look out to see noisy crowds gathering to meet a man ­– but reports to police have led to no change

DRUG dealing in a residential street has got out of control, according to residents who say they have been let down by the police and council who “don’t want to know”.

Concerning footage from outside Derby Lodge in Wicklow Street, King’s Cross, sent to the Met police in an official objection from a resident appears to show a dealer distributing drugs for cash to a group of 20 to 40 people. The “drops” happen at least twice a day every day in full view of CCTV cameras that have been set up outside the three social housing blocks.

Businesses in the area told the Tribune they had faced intimidation from teenage “go-betweens” linking the main dealers with the drug-takers.

A children’s play area has become a focal point for drug-dealers after the deals – thought to be for crack and heroin – take place in full public view.

Without support from the council, housing associations, politicians or the police, the group of residents are considering some form of direct action in the coming months.

One resident, who asked not to be named out of fear, said: “It is relentless. The whole street, and the neighbouring street, is affected. The children’s play area is a no go area. It has become a nightmare living here, and I don’t use that word lightly. They come on the e-bikes. That sound of the clacking has become so familiar here. Cars get broken into. The first thing I do in the morning is check to see if my window has been smashed. The dealers and the people buying the drugs are not phased by CCTV. They know nothing is going to happen. We’ve numerous CAD numbers. But the police just don’t turn up. Then we made a formal complaint and I got a call back and in a long conversation was told it’s not ‘high priority’ and there are ‘recruitment issues’.

The owner of a nearby business said: “People have had enough and something is going to happen. We have videos of the dealers. But there is no support from police.”

Camden Council ­– the street is just over the border – said it would be assessing what physical changes around Wicklow Street might deter anti-social behaviour as soon as possible and was putting together a taskforce which focuses on prevention and early intervention.

Police did not respond to our requests for comment (see below).

Shouldn’t the police at least give us a comment?

THE images published in the Tribune appear to illustrate a scene of exploitation and desperation, and as a newspaper we have unending empathy with those in the grip of addiction.

But it is also possible to feel for those whose lives are disrupted by chronic anti-social behaviour coming as close as their doorsteps. This week, we asked the police to respond to these residents’ concerns and their feeling of abandonment.

It’s ironic then, the Met did not respond to our messages. Our ears and pages are open for officers to explain what they will do to those feeling scared and unheard. They can’t wait all summer.