Sussex Police said that officers were carrying out more patrols after reports of drug dealing near a small shopping parade in Brighton.
Neighbours said that drug dealers were operating out of a private parking area on the corner of Springfield Road and Beaconsfield Road.
They spoke out about the drug dealing when they objected to a planning application to put an advertising billboard on the site.
Staff at the neighbouring Cats Protection charity shop also raised the issue of drug dealing when objecting to the billboard application.
According to the plans, the advertising hoarding would be 5ft high, 21ft wide and 8in deep – 1.5 metres x 6.5m x 20cm – and sit above a wall.
They said: “We are not going to let this illuminated sign be fixed to our wall. This will block the light out of our basement flat behind it.
“There is enough illegal dealing going on behind the wall after dark as it is without making it easier for them to be hidden while carrying out their illegal activities.”
One of the 36 objections listed on Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning website said: “Why on earth give one more dark corner for drug dealers to utilise.”
Another said the “unusable” neighbouring phone box is used by addicts “shooting up”.
The UK Crime Map indicated that six drug-related incidents had been recorded within half a mile from June 2020 to May 2023.
Sussex Police said that the force was aware of concerns about drug-related activity in the Springfield Road and Beaconsfield Road area.
The force said: “Patrols have been increased in the area and PCSOs and officers have met with the community to discuss their specific concerns.
“Work is ongoing to identify and catch those responsible while we collaborate with our partners to address the root causes and safeguard vulnerable people at risk of harm.”
If the police patrolled Brighton they would know that the city is rife with drug dealing and shouldn’t need to find out via a planning application!
So correct i see dealing daily on Western road. Addicts hang around waiting for dealers pity police can’t hang around to catch this open dealing.
“Invisible police” is right. It’s a disgrace that the police find out about a regular drug dealing and anti-social behaviour point because they read about it in the local press! And this idea they they might “step up patrols”!? It’s a fantasy. I’ve lived around the corner from this site since 2008. The number of police I’ve seen actually on foot and not whizzing past at 40 or 50 mph in the last 15 years? Zero. Never seen one. And right now I can hear the people at that exact place carrying on like a-holes.
Who gets the revenue from the billboard?
Who identified it a good spot to advertise?
The junction coming from busy London Rd and past the park is tricky to adjust to local traffic without an illuminated distraction in a residential area.
That corner needs an uplift not a giant billboard,
Don’t you know this is the City of Refuge. Refuge for every reprobate and degenerate recently released nonces that can’t go back to their own manor in case they have an unpleasant encounter with their victims or victims families and friends.
Not to mention the international brigade of drug addicts and beggars, rough sleeping because no hostel will put up with their antics.
The tofu eating woke rating !
I haved lived in Brighton and Hove since 1990 and have many friends that like to go out to some of the great pubs in this city.
feel the council needs to to put more funding into helping homeless people and mental health issues for the benefit of everyone
For a start this is the only City that allows them to beg and harass tourists and shoppers in the town centre. The police and council should start clamping down on this. Also, why are they now letting people set up shanty towns in the town centre. Outside the co-op for example. They should be offered a hostel place and if they won’t take it they can move on but not just be allowed to drag piss-soaked mattresses and doss down in the town centre.
Usual Brighton nimbies.
Interesting comment from all as for the bill board .this is hurting no one , if there is drug dealing why is the police doing any thing about it , sure now all knows about the drug dealing , then they will know move to another area so all in all the people complaining has done the job well done to all , do now i cannot see that the bill board will be a issue , with cctv on the top of the bill board
APPARENTLY , THE HOMELESS CHARTER THE GIVES THEM CARTE BLANCHE TO SIT THERE BEGGING SLL DAY AND NOT GET SPOKEN TO BY THE OLD BILL THERE ARE ALSO IMPORTED BEGGARS WHO GET DROPPED OFF BY MINIBUS EAVH DAY THEN COLLECTED WITH THEIR CARDBOARD SIGNS AND THEIR BEGGING POT SHOVED IN YOUR FACE