Sex parties and drugs make over-50s 'vulnerable'

Some residents told a meeting on Tuesday that they are afraid to go outside

Sex parties and drugs at a council block meant to be for the over-50s has left residents in fear.

People living in Ardingly Court, High Street, Brighton, who do not want to be identified over fear of reprisals, told councillors and housing officials about their experiences.

They spoke out at a meeting of Brighton and Hove City Council's housing management panel earlier this week.

The issues were outlined in a question published in the panel's agenda, stating that people were frightened to go out into the garden and felt "vulnerable" only when they were at the flats, particularly after dark.

At the meeting, a resident said: "I've never felt vulnerable. I wouldn't consider myself in any shape or form vulnerable. But there (Ardingly Court) I do, because of the amount of drugs around.

"The amount of drug takers, dealing, the running around half naked, dodgy sort of business, sex parties... it all goes on there.

"I've been around for a long time and had a life but it's shocking that I should have to see that."

The resident said that Ardingly Court was like a fish bowl, with flats surrounding the garden and everyone could see what was going on.

Action on anti-social behaviour

Out of 48 flats in the block, three have had drug raids, with police officers battering down doors, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Neighbours said that they were aware of people "cooking drugs" in their flats which attracts drug users to the area.

The council's director of housing people services Harry Williams said that the approach to anti-social behaviour was reviewed in 2022 in response to problems, resulting in a new policy in 2023 which had been embedded over the past two years.