Police investigate complaint that officer told couple to move after concerns over anti-social behaviour
POLICE are investigating an officer who allegedly told a couple to "move" after they complained about anti-social behaviour.
Vanessa and Wayne Cox, of Victoria Road, Cirencester, had met Inspector Brian Clifford last November to discuss the problems in the area.
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Complaints: Vanessa Cox of Cirencester
But they claimed he had told them police had "stopped listening" to their complaints.
As a result, Insp Clifford is now being investigated by Superintendent Tony Godwin from the force.
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In a letter sent earlier this month to Gloucestershire police, the Coxes claimed Insp Clifford had been insulting.
They wrote: "The lack of support or empathy with our situation was simply astonishing and the 'blame' put on us – we evidently 'can't see the wood for the trees' according to Mr Clifford.
"He told us that the police had 'stopped listening' to us and he told us that the way to resolve the problems was 'to move'."
Supt Godwin said: "We are aware of the issues and are working with all affected parties to bring about a resolution. However as the issue is ongoing it wouldn't be appropriate to comment on the matter further at this time."
Mrs Cox had claimed Jephson Housing Association has also failed to take effective action to crackdown on the anti-social behaviour in the area.
The 45-year-old said she had to give up an 18-year teaching career when the "nightmare" of thuggish behaviour caused her to suffer mental health problems. She had taught in Gloucester and Stroud.
"I had a breakdown and it was certainly to do with the anti-social behaviour," she said. "I have depression, severe anxiety and post traumatic distress."
Vanessa and her husband Wayne, 45, said they have repeatedly told Jephson about the problems, which date back to 2006.
She added: "There has been noise, fighting, a door smashed in, abusive language and people being aggressive.
"It is hell to live here, but we don't want to move – we shouldn't have to. This is our home and we don't want to be forced out."
Sue Thompson, housing manager at Jephson Housing Association, said: "We take anti-social behaviour extremely seriously and work with key partner agencies including the police to tackle and prevent unacceptable behaviour in the neighbourhoods where we work."
8 Comments
by T100RDaytona
Sunday, March 03 2013, 11:41PM
“By T100RDaytona, not Truthwillout, I unwittingly posted my coment from the same computer not realising that Truthwillout had not logged outv of the site. We are both aware of these issues. As a frequent visitor to friends who live in this block, I became aware of far reaching issues among the residents. I've overheard conversations on more than one occasion between various residents about problems there.
I've heard multiple comments about one particular resident, who is a "recovering drug addict" who apparently removes his methadone implant, which renders him virtually unable to walk, on the strength of which he receives disability benefits. Various residents have told me that other drug addicts use his flat as a safe venue to take their drugs and the Police have made it clear to these residents that they are happy for this situation to continue. It has also been alleged that he sells his methadone implants to other addicts.
We have similar issues in Swindon where I live. I became aware of numbers of teenagers wearing dark clothing, riding bikes without lights at night when I first moved here in the early 1980's. It quickly became apparent that these were couriers delivering drugs for the local dealers. This situation has continued ever since and yet the Swindon police also insist that this is not happening. How is it that someone new to the area can find this out within a few weeks of moving to a new town, whilst the local constabulary remain ignorant of this continuing practice 30 years later?”
by TruthWillOut
Sunday, March 03 2013, 11:29PM
“.
"As a frequent visitor to friends who live in this block, I became aware of far reaching issues among the residents. I've overheard conversations on more than one occasion between various residents about problems there.
I've heard multiple comments about one particular resident, who is a "recovering drug addict" who apparently removes his methadone implant, which renders him virtually unable to walk, on the strength of which he receives disability benefits. Various residents have told me that other drug addicts use his flat as a safe venue to take their drugs and the Police have made it clear to these residents that they are happy for this situation to continue. It has also been alleged that he sells his methadone implants to other addicts.
We have similar issues in Swindon where I live. I became aware of numbers of teenagers wearing dark clothing, riding bikes without lights at night when I first moved here in the early 1980's. It quickly became apparent that these were couriers delivering drugs for the local dealers. This situation has continued ever since and yet the Swindon police also insist that this is not happening. How is it that someone new to the area can find this out within a few weeks of moving to a new town, whilst the local constabulary remain ignorant of this continuing practice 30 years later?"
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by TruthWillOut
Sunday, March 03 2013, 11:23PM
“As a frequent visitor to friends who live in this block, I became aware of far reaching issues among the residents. I've overheard conversations on more than one occasion between various residents about problems there.
I've heard multiple comments about one particular resident, who is a "recovering drug addict" who apparently removes his methadone implant, which renders him virtually unable to walk, on the strength of which he receives disability benefits. Various residents have told me that other drug addicts use his flat as a safe venue to take their drugs and the Police have made it clear to these residents that they are happy for this situation to continue. It has also been alleged that he sells his methadone implants to other addicts.
We have similar issues in Swindon where I live. I became aware of numbers of teenagers wearing dark clothing, riding bikes without lights at night when I first moved here in the early 1980's. It quickly became apparent that these were couriers delivering drugs for the local dealers. This situation has continued ever since and yet the Swindon police also insist that this is not happening. How is it that someone new to the area can find this out within a few weeks of moving to a new town, whilst the local constabulary remain ignorant of this continuing practice 30 years later?”
by TruthWillOut
Sunday, March 03 2013, 10:50PM
“I too am a resident from here and I think these people are very brave in coming forward to highlight this situation. Too many people sit back and watch criminal activities taking place and they say nothing. I know how much this couple have suffered in doing the right thing. The Police and Housing Association have shown them disrespect from day one. It never ceases to amaze me that the police are asking people to report antisocial behaviours, and when good, honest, hardworking people do so, the police then go into complete denial that any problem exists. I can vouch for the fact that criminal activities are taking place here and the police are rewarding the criminals and punishing/shunning the good guys. What else can I say apart from "what kind of world are we living in when it is made blatantly obvious that the criminals and police are on the same side?". Oh, and not forgetting the housing association is also on the criminals side. Three more words - "Shame on them!!!".”
by eyeopener
Saturday, March 02 2013, 4:04PM
“If it is Jephson Housing Association tenants causing the problem, I would seek advice on taking Jephson Housing Association to court. You might find that they suddenly find that they have tenant management skills that they didn't know they had!”
by GlosAnarchy
Saturday, March 02 2013, 3:20PM
“Why don't you goto the citizen's advice for help with this matter you could take them antisocial residents to court yourself of claim compensation!”
by Anonresident
Saturday, March 02 2013, 2:34PM
“As another resident from here, we too have had numerous problem! We have witnessed counts of vandalism and reported numerous counts of antisocial behaviour! All have fallen on deaf ears. We even wrote witness statements for court but surprise jephson changed there mind last minute. It's just a shame if happens to the honest hardworkers!”
by GlosAnarchy
Friday, March 01 2013, 10:26AM
“All I hear here is one voice complaining, are there any other complainants in this matter or is it just one couple making the complaints against the rest of the neighbourhood. If there is only one couple making complaints then the police might see it as a troublesome neighbour causing trouble for their neighbours and wasting police time and their limited budget!”