Our street is such a hell hole cops won’t patrol it…caravans have been burnt out & squatters invade dilapidated homes

A ONCE-attractive road blighted by crime, fly-tipping, and anti-social behaviour has become so unsafe even police won’t patrol it alone, it’s claimed. The lives of residents in Baguley Crescent in Middleton, Greater Manchester, have become “hell” according to an MP, with drugs, squatters and problem tenants also long-standing issues. The lives of residents on Baguley Crescent in Greater Manchester have become ‘hell’Credit: Refer to source The road was once a desirable location but has since become an eyesoreCredit: Refer to source The road, which contains blocks of low-rise flats built in the 1960s, was once a desirable location. But it’s since become an eyesore due to many blocks falling into disrepair, the regular dumping of rubbish on wasteland and overgrown trees and bushes. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The Sun visited just days after Bury Council were forced to carry out a huge clean-up operation, which gathered five tonnes of waste including furniture, mattresses and shopping trolleys which littered parts of the road. Caravans, one completely burned to the ground, have been left to rot while dilapidated garages have reportedly been converted into “rabbit-hutch” living spaces. Caravans have been left to rot with regular dumping on wastelandCredit: Refer to source One caravan was even spotted burnt to the groundCredit: Refer to source The fire service had to condemn one abandoned apartment block after several blazes but it’s since been occupied by squatters, despite the risks. Christian Wakeford, MP for Bury South, who’s called on local agencies to take action, said anti-social behaviour is rife and some tenants were making their “neighbours‘ lives hell”. He also highlighted the issue of crime, saying: “The postie is terrified and the police wont go down unless they’re in multiple numbers because of their own safety.” Long-standing residents, whose flats are well-maintained, have watched the sad decline of the road over recent years. Most read in The Sun Gary George, 69, who’s lived there for 35 years, said: “When I first moved here it was a lovely place, with a lot of owner-occupiers. “But private landlords own many of the flats now and different tenants move in and out all the time. “Unfortunately, some of them seem to be habitual criminals and there’s anti-social behaviour with people drinking and smoking drugs. “They only think of themselves and spoil it for everyone else. A lot of rubbish also gets dumped and some properties aren’t being maintained.” Some blocks contain a large number of privately rented properties and there is a high turnover of tenants who claim benefits. The front garden of one block – christened Baguley Manor – has been turned into unofficial “beer garden” with tables and chairs, umbrellas and even a hot tub, which some residents claim has fuelled anti-social behaviour. Gary George, 69, said the area was ‘lovely’ when he first moved there 35 years agoCredit: Refer to source The front garden of one block has been turned into an unofficial beer garden with a hot tubCredit: Refer to source They also claim that some buildings have become neglected because property management companies were never set up when the flats were built. There have also been serious assaults, stabbings and one man was jailed for 27 years in 2024 for a “horrific” axe attack which left another another man seriously injured. Joshua O’Dea, 34, forced his way into a caravan and threatened to bite his victim’s ear off because he believed he was owed money. O’Dea also cut the man’s arms with a knife before he was able to flee. Francesca Estasy, 70, another long-standing resident, says she has repeatedly contacted Mr Wakeford and the council about the ongoing issues. “It’s been bad for the last 10 years or so now and the Crescent has become notorious for crime, drugs and fly-tipping. But its predominantly a housing issue. Francesca Estasy, 70, says the street has become ‘notorious for crime, drugs and fly-tipping’Credit: Refer to source Some garages are said to have been converted into living spacesCredit: Refer to source “It was once a beautiful place but a lot of former flat owners left or were forced out and the landlords who took over aren’t prepared to maintain properties properly.” In common with Mr Wakeford, she has called on Bury Council to compulsory purchase the abandoned and fire-ravaged apartment block,. Freeholder Enlightened Investments Limited says it is aware of residents’ concerns and would like to take full control of the empty flats Although it does not have day-to-day control of the units in the way a managing landlord would, it has begun legal moves against leaseholders in respect of breaches of their obligations to carry out repairs and maintenance. And it’s hoped a property developer will eventually acquire the building for redevelopment. “Our priority is to ensure that the building is dealt with in a way that is legally robust, protects the public, and ultimately allows the property to be restored and brought back into proper use,” an Enlightened Investments spokesperson said. But that day, and the return of the Crescent to a peaceful and enjoyable place to live, seems a long way off for many residents. One, who didn’t wish to be named for fear of reprisals, said: “I always turn the same way when I come out of my flat to avoid walking past some of other other blocks. Neil Hare, 54, said the ‘main problem’ was landlordsCredit: Refer to source Credit: Refer to source ‘There are always people hanging around, drinking, smoking drugs or lighting fires in oil drums. “It can be a intimidating.” The resident also claimed that some the remaining garages had been converted into living spaces by unscrupulous landlords keen to make cash. “One of the garages even has a front door,” he said. “They can charged somebody £200 to live in a rabbit hutch.” But not everybody believes the road is in permanent decline. Neil Hare, 54, said he’d purchased a flat in the same block for his daughter so she could avoid expensive rental costs and get on the housing ladder. “The road is better now than it used to be,” he said. “The main problem is landlords renting to people who just don’t look after their flats. “So the landlords don’t bother making improvement because they think someone will just end up wrecking them anyway. “If the council wrote to the landlords and insisted on property management companies then then tenants would look after them better.” Bury Council recently staged a “major day of action” on the Crescent in which they joined police, the fire service and residents to remove fly-tipped waste and rubbish piled in bins. It says substantial work has been undertaken to improve conditions which includes acton against absentee landlords and property owners, investigations into environmental and community safety concerns, and the demolition of former garages which had become a focal point for anti-social behaviour and criminality. Councillor Jodie Hook, deputy cabinet member for environment, climate change and operations, said: “We understand why residents are frustrated and share their determination to see lasting improvements in Baguley Crescent. “The day of action delivered an immediate improvement, with more than five tonnes of waste removed, but it was also about listening to residents and showing our commitment to the area. “A significant amount of work has already taken place. We’ve worked with partners on enforcement activity, pursued absentee landlords and property owners, tackled problem sites and removed garages linked to anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. “There are no quick fixes and some of the most complex issues involve privately owned land and buildings. “We will continue working with residents and partners to drive further improvements and build on the progress already made.” A council spokesperson said: “The issues at Baguley Crescent are long standing and despite action being taken they continue. “It’s a complicated situation with a mix of privately owned and rented homes and often not clear who owns what. “This issue is worsened by absent landlords and a minority of local residents who are not living up to their responsibilities, despite enforcement notices to get them to comply. “Where we have the powers we have taken action such as the demolition of a large number of dangerous garage structures. “We are also working to tackle fly tipping and waste and support residents with community safety issues. “As part of our ongoing response, we have planned a Day of Action on 24 July alongside Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Police. “We will tackle immediate waste and fly-tipping issues, provide fire safety and community safety support, meet with residents to hear their concerns and offer advice, and work with the community to identify and address those responsible for the problems in the area. “We can only work within the powers we have and any action we take does not absolve landlords, property owners and residents of their responsibilities. “Without further powers to authorities there is no easy solution to the issues.”