A woman from Torquay has told how she fears for her safety after she got stabbed moving used drug needles which were left near her home.

Chantel Gwinnell, 33, who lives in the Watcombe area of Torquay said drugs and used needles are an on-going problem at the block of flats where she lives and she has had enough of it.

Chantel got stabbed by a needle last year

She said: "Last year I got stabbed with a dirty needle after it was left in the communal hallway near my home.

"There are children that live in the block of flats and I wanted to move them because any of them could have picked them up.

"There were two needles and I didn't want to just leave them there, but when I picked them up the needle had pierced through the safety cap so that's how it stabbed me."

Needles found in the car park

The 33-year-old who lives with her mum Jane Price, said that the needle issue is a re-occurring problem in the whole area.

She added: "At the time I got stabbed I was worried sick about it because who in their right mind would leave needles lying about, it's disgusting. I had to get tested and luckily it came back all clear.

"We have also found needles down the drains, by the car parks outside our home and even by the fire exits. It has been going on for too long and something needs to be done about it."

Chantel said that she has contacted the housing association, the police and her local MP about the problem, but feels like no one is interested.

"We have sat around watching drug deals take place outside the flats and we have phoned the police to report it, but they don't appear to be doing anything about the problem," she said.

"Something needs to be done, we are living in an unsafe flat, the drugs and used needles are unsafe for everyone who lives here including the children."

Needles found in the car park

Chantel said that she also feels unsafe living in her flat because the window in her bedroom is broken.

She said: "My window frame has also been broken for as long as I can remember. It is rotting and it moves and because my flat is by the fire escape I am too afraid to sleep in there because anyone can get in.

"It just seems like one problem after another and they aren't doing anything about it."

A spokesperson for Liverty Housing said:"We take the safety and welfare of our residents extremely seriously. We have been made aware of these issues and are working closely with Mrs Price to formulate an action plan, including offering the installation of CCTV equipment to capture further incidents. We are working actively alongside local partners, including the police so that investigation into the allegations can take place. We remain committed to ensuring each and every one of our residents has access to the support they need from our teams.

"Liverty has also addressed the complaint about the window in Mrs Price’s home and we will be fitting a new window in the coming days.

"We are committed to delivering a high level of customer service and customer satisfaction and are working quickly to resolve these issues.’’