Never miss any of the fun stuff. Get the biggest stories and wackiest takes from the Daily Star, including our special WTF Wednesday email
Thank you for subscribing!
Never miss any of the fun stuff. Get the biggest stories and wackiest takes from the Daily Star, including our special WTF Wednesday email
We have more newsletters
Residents of a formerly "tight-knit" community have complained their streets are now awash with "druggies" and students.
County Durham boasts some of the cheapest properties in the country, and the once-charming town of Ferryhill is no exception with houses going for as little as £15,000.
But while it might sound like a steal, locals have warned the low prices come with a few catches.
READ MORE: Britain's best roundabout revealed as Midlands 'oasis in a sea of tarmac'
Paul Malpas, 43, told the Sun: "It used to be a tight-knit community, now you don't know who’s who.
"There’s a lot of druggies who are ruining the area and people flying past on motorbikes on the path where there are elderly people. It’s shocking."
Debbie and John Thurlbeck, both 64, said they noticed a "lot of anti-social behaviour" when they moved to County Durham from Cornwall – and Debbie added the cheap cost of housing in the area isn't always as good a deal as it may first appear.
"You can scoop up a property for £15,000. But, you would also have to put money into that property and do it up," she said.
Retired teacher Kirsty Thomas added the town isn't far from the university city of Durham and moaned many of the houses in the area were occupied by "far too many students" who only live in the properties for a few months every year.
-
UK seaside town descends into chaos as TikTok troublemakers 'get lit and cause trouble'
"There was a community here which has been ruined. It has undervalued the town," she said.
Ferryhill had a crime rate of 178 incidents per 1,000 people in 2022, making it Durham's most dangerous small town that year, according to CrimeRate.
Violence and sexual offences are the most common crimes, followed by antisocial behaviour. The overall crime rate was 115% higher than the national average.
Meanwhile the average price for a house across County Durham over the last 12 months came in at £151,660, according to Zoopla.
In contrast the average house price nationwide was £286,000 in April 2023.
The Daily Star has contacted Durham County Council for more information.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
- Students
- Drugs
- Property
Source: Read Full Article