People living in Primrose Court in Huyton are afraid to go out because of the daily threats of violence and racial abuse. Khaled Baleid, 59, was left with a broken nose and two black eyes after being recently attacked on the street with a metal pole. Crowds of vacant homes in Primrose Court have also been the target of arson and fly-over in recent years, with rubbish piled high in the back gardens and out on the street. An abandoned TikTok went viral in January and was viewed more than five million times in 24 hours. READ MORE: The sisters used Encrochat “MoodyAlpha” to transport drugs across the UK Khaled said the scale of crime in the area has worsened in recent months at the hands of a gang that demanded money in exchange for protection on several occasions, despite refusing to do so. Khaled said the gang regularly shouted racist abuse at him and his wife, adding:[They say] “We will break your windows, we will fuck you.” “You have to pay us if you want to live in this area.” “They say we have to protect you from people, they will burn down your house. I refused and then they start being racists. [saying] “We will burn down your house.” “Why should someone come to your house and threaten you? What did we do about it? We are good innocent people. We told them to leave us alone. I just want them to stay away from me and we respect each other.” Primrose Court in Huyton has been the victim of crime and antisocial behavior in recent years (Image: Liverpool Echo) CCTV footage shows Khaled being attacked on his way home on May 30, the day after airstrikes hit his home. A 17-year-old boy from Liverpool has been charged with criminal offenses, witness intimidation, racist aggravated criminal offenses and injury and causing grievous bodily harm unintentionally. He appeared at the Merseyside Youth Court on Thursday morning and was remanded in custody. Khaled suffered a broken nose and two black eyes after the attack on Primrose Court in Huyton (Image: Khaled Baleid) Khaled said: “I do not feel safe but at the same time I am willing to fight for my rights even if they kill me because I have nowhere to go. I just got my British national, I just got my British passport. I just want to live in peace. . “I do not want anyone to come and attack my house.” A man who lives in the area but did not want to be named for fear of safety told ECHO: “I’m afraid to go out here. If I have to go out or go to the supermarket, I’m telling my wife to call me later. for some time to check if something has happened “. After contacting ECHO this week, Merseyside police said they were holding a day of action at Primrose Court on Friday, June 10 to target serious violence and hate crimes. A police spokesman said: “The day of the action follows recent reports of serious violence in the area and aims to reassure vulnerable victims and prevent further criminal harm, racist abuse or anti-social behavior.”
When the problems first started
The problems with Primrose Court seem to have started when the development was first built by two private companies that collapsed before the construction work was completed. This means that basic elements such as street lighting and “proper curbs” have not been installed on the road. And because the road is unexploited, the task of its maintenance belongs to the property owners. A man, who also lives in the area and asked to remain anonymous, said the lack of street lighting attracts criminal activity at night. The rows of two- and three-bedroom houses in Primrose Court are empty and closed (Image: Liverpool Echo) The man said people are also making money by flies in the area and rubbish in the gardens of empty houses, adding: “They make a lot of money from it and that’s why they do not want people to move in because when people move they can no longer do it. “To be honest when I go home I do not feel comfortable. I feel insecure.”
What action did the Knowsley Council take?
In December 2020, the Knowsley Council told ECHO: “Funding has been provided by the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership and will be used to address arson in the area through improved lighting and CCTV.” Asked for information on this funding a year later, a council spokesman said: “Prior to the installation of CCTV, further funding is needed for the regeneration of the area and we continue to work with our partners to explore possible sources of funding.” Primrose Court, Huyton, October 2020 Photo (Image: Liverpool Echo) In a further update this week, the Knowsley Council said it has now submitted a bid of 350 350,000 from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund to help address highway, street lighting and CCTV issues in the area. A Knowsley council spokesman said: “The council and partners are working with locals to address the issues. Last month, the council (through the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner) submitted a 350 350,000 offer to the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund. “The fund supports interventions aimed at tackling neighborhood crime, antisocial behavior and improving the security of public spaces. The funding will help address some issues, such as highways, street lighting and CCTV. Decision by the Ministry of Interior on this funding The offer is expected later this month “.
What the Merseyside Police had to say
Inspector Mark Berry said: “Today [Friday, June 10] will see our officers in full force, with representatives from the Office of the Police Crime Commissioner, the Knowsley Council and the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service working together to show what they do, the benefits they bring to the public and the our strong stance on hate crimes. We take hate crime very seriously and our mobile police station will be based in the Old Roundabout store and will communicate with locals and share information about the Stop Hate UK campaign. We will also have police horses and enhanced traffic on the property to increase our high visibility and presence in the area. “By providing this active visible police presence, we aim to stop any vandalism, racial abuse and to act on the basis of any information we receive. “If you have any information about those involved in crime in the area, contact the police so that we can take action, identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.” If you want to tell us something, send us DM at @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously. Read more related articles Read more related articles
