Concerns in Park District as homeless people placed in hotels

Fed-up residents have told of 'horrific' problems' in the Park District in Weymouth and have compared it to the 'Wild West' with dealing and drug use, loud and aggressive drunken behaviour, fights, and people having sex and even defecating in the street.

Police have been called almost every day and night for the past three months.

Problems, which are mainly centred around Lennox Street off the seafront, have been linked to some of the homeless people which Dorset Council gathered up from around the county and put in local hotels so they were safe during the pandemic. These are vulnerable individuals, some of whom have drug and alcohol issues.

While residents accept this group needs support, they claim people have been placed here with no thought on the effects on what is a deprived community.

The Park District is already home to a number of vulnerable people living in HMOs and sheltered accommodation and one resident described how this had created a 'melting pot which has exploded'.

Police have been praised for doing what they can but locals say the problem persists.

With restrictions easing, rough sleepers and some of those who were homeless during the peak of the pandemic are now having to find their own accommodation.

But residents do not think the problem will go away as they believe some people will decide to stay in the area. This is a major concern for b&b owners who fear the summer season will be ruined as they don't want to welcome guests to such an environment.

Everyone the Echo has spoken to did not want to give their names for genuine fear of reprisals. Some have been prescribed anti-depressants because they are so crushed by what has been happening.

One resident said: "I feel like bursting into tears just talking about it. I witness regular drug dealing outside my window as well as fights and there is constant noise. My daughter is too scared to walk to the beach or the shop. It is horrendous, a living hell.

"I think there are now turf wars going on with all the drug activity. We've seen people with knives and I understand a machete was found.

"The Park District has its problems and I can live with that but this is something new, something very, very frightening and it's making our lives unbearable."

Another resident said: "We are living in fear. I can't sleep at night with all the noise.

"I understand some have gone but this is not the end of it. Some have established themselves here now and I don't think they're just going to move on like that."

'Not acceptable an area of high deprivation should carry the heaviest load'

Local councillor Jon Orrell said: "At the height of the pandemic the government ordered councils to put all homeless people into hotels. This was a public health measure and saved lives.

"In Dorset it created unforeseen consequences as all the county's vulnerable people were concentrated in three hotels. Most have been well behaved and accepted help and support. Some have not, and now the peak has passed and other housing options are open they would benefit from going back to their original areas, as a matter of urgency.

"It is not acceptable that the area of Dorset with the highest deprivation should carry the heaviest load now; this should be shared back across the county."

Cllr Orrell added: "If private housing or new hotels cannot be found I call upon Dorset Council to immediately open up its many empty properties."

'Homeless people need more support'

Hotelier Loraine Hillier has been housing homeless people in two of her seafront properties and insisted there were no longer any problems associated with guests as those who previously caused trouble have since left.

She said those that remain, at the Richmoor Hotel, are genuine homeless people from a variety of different backgrounds whose lives had fallen apart and were in need of support.

Mrs Hillier said she had been called names in the street for taking in homeless people and rejected claims by locals she had only been doing it to make money as she said she would earn far more if she was running a conventional hotel business.

Mrs Hillier suggested any problems which were ongoing were not linked to her guests but rather those living in other accommodation in the area.

She said: "I've been blamed for everything and anything and it's not fair.

"There were times when people were outside drinking in groups and they were difficult to manage and they have now gone. Anyone who gave us trouble has now gone.

"I have dealt with it. It was a small proportion of people. And I have been at the end of the phone if residents want to speak to me about it."

She added: "The real problem is a lack of mental health support and a lack of housing. We have people here whose lives have fallen apart, just like that. Society needs to take a long hard look at itself and give these people more support."

Council: 'We recognise the impact this has had'

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety, said: "As a result of the Covid-19 restrictions introduced in March, Dorset Council was required by the government to accommodate those who were sleeping rough on the streets to protect them, and other residents, from the spread of the virus. The council has a statutory duty to accommodate anyone from the Dorset Council area who is homeless during the Covid crisis – not just rough sleepers - and from whichever Dorset town/area they come from.

"Dorset Council has previously used some Weymouth town centre properties to accommodate homeless people. Unfortunately, due to the higher levels of people presenting as homeless to the council during the lockdown period, there are more people accommodated in a smaller area than normal. Many of the people we currently have in temporary accommodation have a local connection to Weymouth & Portland and have been living in the community for a number of years.

"It should be noted that prior to the coronavirus outbreak, the council had 74 homeless people in temporary accommodation across Dorset already and there are currently 150.

"Although Dorset Police are reporting fewer incidences of anti-social behaviour across the Weymouth and Melcombe Regis areas as a whole, down 18% compared to this time last year, we recognise the impact of the behaviour of some people who are accommodated in the area has been concerning for local residents and businesses. All partners including Dorset Council, Dorset Police and Weymouth Town Council are listening to concerns and are working together to safeguard residents and businesses in the area from anti-social behaviour (ASB).

"We have an ‘exit strategy’ which will see many of the people in temporary accommodation moved to more settled housing and we’re finding suitable properties in order for this to happen. It will however take time to find suitable accommodation as there is a shortage of social housing as well as affordable accommodation in the private rented sector. The council runs a private sector leasing scheme and any landlord with a property that would like to offer it to the council to manage on their behalf should contact the council’s housing team.

"Anyone with information relating to anti-social behaviour should report it to Dorset Police so they can respond and have a full picture of what is happening in the area. Contact Dorset Police on 101, via email at 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or online at www.dorset.police.uk. If a crime is in progress dial 999."

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "We have received a number of reports of anti-social behaviour and disorder within this area and are conducting increased patrols to provide reassurance to the public, reduce incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour, and bring offenders to justice."

As reported, Dorset Council is to bid for a share of £85m in Government funding to help find accommodation for the county’s rough sleepers and homeless households.