A COMMUNITY which says it is being kept from sleep by drug users, prostitutes and joy riders want a gate built to block access to a car park at the centre of the trouble.

Residents of Courtybella Gardens in Pill, Newport, say they are fed up of gangs of undesirables flocking to a carpark off New Street after dark.

On one occasion a joy rider ploughed through the garden wall of a resident while she was stood outside, almost killing her.

It has now led to a petition calling for a gate to be fitted at the entrance to the site.

South Wales Argus:

(Mohammad Khan, 36, of New Street, lives near the entrance to the car park. He said his seven-month-old daughter has trouble sleeping at night because of the noise)

The carpark is owned by Newport City Homes, who have said they are open to suggestions from the long-suffering residents.

Behind the petition is Moe Ali, 28, of Temple Street, Pill, who got involved because of growing concerns over the impact of illicit activities on the neighbourhood.

“This is actually a really nice residential area with a lot of old people and families,” said Mr Ali.

“We came up with the petition to fence off the entrance at the beginning of June, after taking advice from our local councillor, Ibrahim Hayat.

“We want something done.”

Gwent Police have said they are aware of the problems in the area.

Local crime and reduction officer Paula Spence said: “Within, the last two months we have received six calls relating to this area to which we have responded proportionately, prior to this we received no calls to the area since December 2017.

South Wales Argus:

(Public injecting has become a common sight in the Pill area of Newport)

“We are working closely with the community to ensure local concerns are reflected as part of its policing priorities.”

One resident, who asked not to be named, described the moment a joy rider ploughed through her garden wall opposite the entrance to the car park.

“I was standing in the garden when it happened,” she said.

“I was lucky not to be killed really. The driver just got out of the car and walked away.

Alfie Watts, 68, has lived in Courtybella gardens for eight years.

“There’s so much trouble with the prostitutes and junkies,” he said.

“Quite often you see needles and rubbish dumped behind there in the car park. Night-time is especially bad.”

And Mohammad Khan, said his seven-month-old daughter has trouble sleeping at night because of the noise.

“There are always people shouting,” added the 36-year-old.

Newport City Council said they had not yet received a petition from residents, but added they would consider a request once submitted.

A spokesman for Gwent Police added: “We would like to reassure residents in Pill that we are working hard to protect and reassure all communities.

“We urge anyone with concerns to please call us on 101 or 999 in an emergency, alternatively they call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111.”

It follows a report by the Argus yesterday, which said shocking scenes of drug use are being witnessed on the street of the wider Pill area daily.

A volunteer group has collected more than 200 discarded needles from streets over the last couple of months.