Henley Green residents claim council staff using drug hotspot to 'skive off'

[dutchman]

Residents claim quiet parking area is used by dealers, sex workers and council staff



A problem parking area that has become a hotspot for drug dealers, thugs and sex workers is also used by Coventry City Council staff to 'skive off' residents have claimed. The spot, next to and for the use of residents on Emery Close in Henley Green, has been the root of many issues facing residents in recent years.

The latest incident, which was captured on camera by a fed up resident, saw an apparent substantial cannabis exchange which resulted in debris consisting of what looks like cannabis leaves left strewn across the ground.

The problems of antisocial behaviour have been so persistent, locals have extensive CCTV camera setups, which have been capturing incidents. Despite raising concerns again and again in recent years, with the council, police and the housing association, the issues have not been resolved.

But it's not just local criminals - it is claimed one council staff member was caught on camera parking in the spot and using it to go to the toilet. A resident told CoventryLive: "The council don’t do anything to help us. Their workers like to park up here and skive off in the day.

"I've witnessed it and it's on CCTV. Council vans are always round there doing nothing. Several times a week, they stay there for a prolonged period, at times I’ve seen them there more than an hour so it not a lunch break.

"I’ve seen multiple vans there together like they’re meeting up. It’s not just the same wagon, there’s several different ones - some are gardening, some are waste removal. On more than one occasion I've seen them using the bushes as a toilet."

Asked about the claims, a Council spokesman said: "If anyone sees a member of Council staff behaving inappropriately, we would encourage them to report it through the appropriate channels.

"This is via our website or by calling 0808 5834333. We expect all of our staff, as public servants, to be professional in their duties at all times. We want to reassure people we take reports of anyone falling short of these high standards very seriously."