Largs Police have said that problems connected to drug addicts and dealers in Nelson Street are being investigated, but they have been hampered in their enquiries due to properties being owned by private landlords, and problem people from out of town to move in to the area.

At the recent North Coast council committee meeting held at Brooksby Health Centre, Labour councillor Alex Gallagher quizzed local police chief Michael Oates about our recent front page story “Drug Menace in Largs street” where it was reported that a delegation of residents from Nelson Street marched into Largs Community Council and described how the ‘dregs of society were blighting the street’.

Cllr. Gallagher asked the police what was being done concerning the reports of ‘undesirables arriving at particular addresses and nosie that lastwed well into the night, shouting and loud music, and ongoing parties.’ Inspector Oates said: “This is a matter that we are aware of and obviously we have information and intelligence which we are acting upon in relation to it, and there will be some police action in relation to this in the near future. In relation to the premises of Nelson Street, there are a lot of private landlords and lets, and a lot of these people referred to live in the top end of Nelson Street.

“99% of the people who live in this street are law-abiding citizens, but the problem we have is that there has been influx of people from Inverclyde and other areas, and these people have been moved on from other areas where they were made no longer welcome from where they used to live. We are aware of this problem and there will be preventative action.” Conservative councillor Tom Marshall responded that the Licensing Committee have been playing their part in new legislation for landlords to be registered, with two landlords reportedly having been struck off the new list because their local properties have been kept in poor condition, leading to anti-social problems.

Cllr. Gallagher said: “I think the problem in the top end of Nelson Street may even go beyond that due to the status and design of the buildings themelves, The landlords are there only because of the type of property it actually is. We need to change the style of property. I have made proposals in relation to this, but so far, without success.” Cllr. Marshall said there was a further private landlord being investigated by the Licensing Committee in terms of registration, but he did not turn up at the licensing meeting during the past week.

He said: “Anti-social behaviour can be extremely stressful for neighbours, whether it involves loud music being played in the middle of the night, people visiting at night or disposing of waste in common grounds such as closes and shared gardens.” “Leasing substandard housing and failing to carry out essential repairs can also result in action.

“In order to legally operate as a landlord, a property owner must be officially registered with the Council. The register also allows tenants and neighbours to identify the property owner and contact them where necessary.

“Landlords can register online while the public can find out whether a landlord is registered by calling 01294 324305 or visiting www.landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk Residents who appeared at the recent community council meeting stated that residents had complainted to the authorities, including the police, and there had been ‘no improvement in the situation for the past ten years.” Speaking to the ‘News’, Inspector Oates said: “If the houses are owned by private landlords, it is difficult to have any clout. If it is local authority owned, and people are dealing drugs, then they can take sanctions, but with private landlords it is more difficult to get a hold of them and raise concerns. However, the coucnil are now involved in terms of registration of private landlords, and that is helping.”