'Drug users scream at night outside my flat - I am living in hell'

Sabina has brown hair and bright pink highlights
-Credit: (Image: Sabina Redlarska)


A Nottingham woman says she doesn't feel safe in her home anymore and has even installed a security camera in her flat. Sabina Redlarska, 39, lives in Hyson Green and says that what was supposed to be her 'safe space' is now a 'living hell'.

The woman has lived in her flat on Noel Street for the past six years and explained that antisocial behaviour in the building is 'a daily occurrence'. She says that despite liking the location of her flat due to the short distance to her workplace, she is now thinking of moving out due to the repeated incidents.

Ms Redlarska explained that due to the front door of the building not locking properly, anyone can enter it, with homeless people and drug users frequently spotted in the hallways. She said: "The night fights, the terror of people being high on drugs screaming because they are having a bad trip - what is supposed to be my safe space is more like living in hell.

"I'm dealing with depression and these situations are adding to it. On many occasions, when I leave my flat, I have to hide back in quickly because there's a group of addicts hanging out in the staircase.

"They never did anything to me but it feels very uncomfortable and scary to walk past them. They usually leave some mess behind too."

A general view of the flats at the former Frog and Onion pub in Noel Street.
Multiple warrants have been executed in the building on Noel Street in recent months, police say -Credit:Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC

The mess Ms Redlarska talks about includes vomit, faeces, blood-covered tissues and rubbish. She explained that despite a cleaning team looking after the hallways once a month, "everything is back looking like the ghetto the same day".

Ms Redlarska said: "I've tried communicating all these issues [to AAAF Properties, the company that operates the flats] but I always feel disregarded. I reported some incidents to the police as well years ago but then I stopped bothering because they're here all the time anyway.

"It’s a very unsafe space to live. People always make a noise in the hallways and I want to come out and tell them to stop but I’m scared for my life. They’re always so loud and disrespectful.

"I had a breakdown because I live here alone and I’m just scared. That on top of work stress put me in hospital and I was signed off work at the end of May and I'm only back on September 23. I'm just scared, that's why I got a security camera."

Ms Redlarska suggested that a fob system might reduce the number of incidents taking place on the premises. Nottinghamshire Police confirmed residents have reported suspected drug dealing in the building, with a warrant executed on Thursday, September 12.

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Liz Gaskin said: "Our officers take all reports of drug supply incredibly seriously, as we know how much of an impact this offending can have on communities, and that it can often be a precursor to other associated crimes like violence, robbery, burglary and antisocial behaviour. We are aware of the issues that residents have reported around suspected drug dealing in the building and are actively dealing with these concerns as we know communities don’t want this activity on their doorsteps.

"As part of this, our neighbourhood policing team organises regular days of action in the area alongside our partner agencies. We also conduct plain clothes operations and we have also executed warrants in the area in recent months too.

"This included a warrant executed on Thursday (12 September) in Noel Street, which was negative. Our officers spoke to Ms Redlarska and provided her with reassurance and advice on how to report incidents to us.

"The team also posted letters to neighbours reassuring them about the work we are doing to combat this behaviour. A lot of this work is helped by intelligence provided by members of the public who report these incidents to us when they see or hear about them.

"We are extremely grateful to those who report these concerns around drug dealing to us and would always urge others to do so as well by contacting the police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Nottinghamshire Live approached AAAF Properties for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.