CHILDREN gambling in the street and teenagers having sex in front of homes were among the shocking stories heard by community leaders during a walkabout in Normanton.
Councillors, police and residents took to the streets in the Cavendish area to find out what issues needed addressing.
Derby City Council chief executive Adam Wilkinson was among those who went out to listen to complaints.
Julie Cranstone, of Meynell Street, said: "We've got kids playing out all hours of the night, playing loud music.
"They leave all the rubbish behind and use the outside of a substation as a toilet.
"I've even seen young girls having sex there. It's absolutely disgusting."
Neighbour Jayne Arquette added: "I've got a nine-year-old son. It really angers me that we get a lot of kids playing in the street at night.
"A lot of the time they're gambling with cards. The youngest is about ten."
Christine Lister, who has lived in Stanton Street for nearly 50 years, complained about irresponsible landlords. She said: "They move people in and then leave them to it.
"The houses are a mess, with rubbish piled up because the tenants aren't using dustbins. As a result, we've had mice and rats.
"When I spoke to one landlord, he said it wasn't his responsibility. I said to him 'yes it is – it's your house'. I've lived here for 44 years but it's only more recently that it's become a problem."
Mr Wilkinson conceded that it was "difficult" to address many of the problems, especially as the council's budget had been drastically cut. However, he said the complaints would not be ignored.
He said: "What the council is trying to do is pull all the agencies together. There needs to be a concerted effort to find solutions to these problems once and for all."
Deputy council leader Ranjit Banwait also took part in the patrol.
Speaking to a group of residents, he said: "It is clear there are some really big and very complex issues here. That is why we've come today – to find out what they are.
"But it's not just up to the council or the police. We all have a collective responsibility to do something about it.
"The council is facing huge cuts and some services are going to stop, so it is important you as citizens think about how you can make a difference.
"We must work together."
