SEVERAL drug raids in Sidmouth have left vulnerable residents feeling unsafe. There have also been a number of brawls in the area including a knife attack on the corner of Temple Street and Woolcombe Lane two weeks ago. Earlier this month, a drugs raid w

SEVERAL drug raids in Sidmouth have left vulnerable residents feeling unsafe.

There have also been a number of brawls in the area including a knife attack on the corner of Temple Street and Woolcombe Lane two weeks ago.

Earlier this month, a drugs raid was carried out by police on a Lawn Vista council flat.

This was not an isolated incident as PC Steve Lemon, of Sidmouth Police, reported.

He told the Herald: "We have had six drugs warrants in those flats in the last 15 months."

An elderly couple, who do not want to be named, witnessed another fight which took place a few hours before the knife attack.

The 79-year-old man said: "It was early in the morning and somebody slammed against my window and we heard all this commotion.

"I went to look out of my bedroom window and saw a man holding a baton or stick and he was swinging it around and they were fighting. All hell was let loose."

The 71-year-old woman said: "We never used to lock our front door when we were in but our family said we should keep it locked all the time now."

The couple said the police sent the residents letters last year asking to report any incidents to them but they feel too "intimidated".

She added: "They said we would have to give evidence in court.

"Why should we have to go to court against those people, when, as elderly people, we don't feel we should be responsible. We ripped the letter up straight away."

Several residents have in the past complained to EDDC's Housing Department but they feel they have been ignored.

One resident said: "We as a group of people who live around here in our private houses find it quite disturbing.

"A lot of us have complained and nothing happens. They tell us to keep a record and type it out but it appears we are not acknowledged. They just think we are a nuisance."

A spokesperson for EDDC said: "I can confirm that the council has received a number of complaints about anti social behaviour in the Lawn Vista area of Sidmouth, and we are keeping a close record of them.

"Our Housing team is monitoring the ongoing situation and will take appropriate action in due course if this is felt necessary."

A police spokesperson said: "While there have been some problems with tenants in the council flats, the majority are law abiding citizens.