Police investigate damning allegations of crime hub street

Newsdesk • Published 19 Feb 2012 09:30 4 Comments

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A DAMNING letter claiming a town centre street harbouring criminals is blighting 'a decent family area' is being investigated by police.

Drug dealers, terrorist thugs and prostitutes are some of the 'undesirables' the anonymous letter alleges have moved to Central Slough.

The letter headed 'Beware' is addressed to all residents of Herschel Street and surrounding area with the heading 'Undesirables have moved to your area'.

A concerned resident sent a copy of the letter to The Observer. We then brought it to the attention of Thames Valley Police, sparking an investigation.

A police spokeswoman said: "The information has been passed on to our local intelligence team to develop and local patrol officers are now aware of the letter should any further letters be delivered to residents of the streets initially affected." The man behind the letter, who ends the four-page rant 'Thank God I am out off here now', claims his family was harassed, intimidated and threatened by the criminals.

He includes a list of addresses and details of crimes he claims to have witnessed.

The letter reads: "These people have turned a decent family street into a criminal area not fit to live in. Stand up to the tyrants as a community and don't be intimidated by these foreign criminals as community you are strong united."

Residents have expressed mixed views about the mail shot. Michael O'Loughlin, lives next door to one of the homes listed as a drugs den. He said: "The poor lady who lives there has got a young son and is a polite and nice person, and she is certainly not involved in any drug dealings.

"I don't know what goes on at some of the other addresses but it's a quiet street and I know nearly all my neighbours, and I, wouldn't suspect any of them being involved in illegal activity.

"It's pretty outrageous."

A resident living yards away from the road, which has allegedly become a hub for criminal activity, said: "It's disgraceful. I know these thing go on, but you don't expect it to be happening on your doorstep.

"It doesn't surprise me because you see trouble here all the time and we quite often have to call the police. It's quite distressing because there are young families living here."

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

******
Feb 20, 13:01
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sbs1977
3 posts
Feb 20, 14:53
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Jeez, will people not see that projects like the Heart of Slough are for the people. I’m glad we have a new bus station and now that the old one is knocked down, it makes it look much better and brighter. Also, it’s not finished yet – have patience. If you want to bash anyone, bash the shopping centres for not getting better shops in. As Judge1066 states - it’s the people who make a town, but in Slough, they all seem miserable and intent on blaming others for the demise of the town. I am from Slough and seeing progress is great - especially when other places can’t afford to bring their towns up to date. Without more modern builds, this town would look worse and no one wants to live in a town that time forgot! Stop moaning and start embracing.

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******
Feb 20, 20:48
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JUDGE1066
35 posts
Feb 21, 16:52
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Good to see the Observers police force have been in action again, muppets!

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******
Feb 21, 17:04
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******
Feb 22, 16:50
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JUDGE1066
35 posts
Feb 22, 20:57
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lol you really are a bunch of tossers, still it keeps you in work :-)

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GisellE6
14 posts
Feb 25, 02:32
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I hope the police give this matter some serious and thorough effort.

The letter is likely to be true, the behaviour described in it is typical of what has been happening all over our town since at least 2006.

I experienced similar goings on when I lived in privately owned flats at Thirkleby Close.

One night a drugged up gang of men entered my flat by kicking the door off the locks and beating up one of my in-laws. Thank God I am no longer living in that horrible run down private estate.

The current letting laws allow landlords to cram their flats full of dodgy people who can make life hell for normal people. The surrounding owner occupiers then sell up (virtually give their homes away) to the existing landlords until they have majority ownership and power over whole blocks of flats.

Albert Street is just one of many parts of Slough where this rotten anti-social behaviour goes on unchecked. Look at how even these so called luxury flats are turning into hell holes, attracting drug dealers , drunks and prostitutes.

The person who wrote the letter is just describing what his neighbours aleady know and are too scared to do anything about. Our police are way over their heads with the crimes going on particularly in the town centre which is full of pubs and fast food outlets.

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