Residents of Meadowbank in the village of Leigh, Kent are asking for urgent support to protect the safety and wellbeing of our community.

Since 2019, our street has experienced repeated incidents linked to one individual, a tenant of West Kent Housing Association. During this time residents have reported serious antisocial and criminal behaviour including intimidation, threats, drug abuse, domestic disturbances, noise disruption, weapons being present on the street, and frequent police attendance involving vans, riot police and police dogs.

The impact on our community has been devastating. Families have been afraid to leave their homes, children have been unable to play outside, and neighbours who once enjoyed a close village community have lived with years of anxiety and fear. Some residents have experienced serious mental health impacts, with neighbours signed off work due to stress and others feeling effectively trapped inside their own homes.

After years of reporting incidents and providing witness statements to authorities, residents worked with Kent Police, Sevenoaks District Council and West Kent Housing Association to secure two closure orders while eviction proceedings were underway.

However, residents were recently informed that the tenant is due to return to the street on 7 April, and authorities have advised that no preventative action can currently be taken unless further incidents occur.

This means our community is being asked to simply wait for the behaviour to start again before action can be taken.

We believe this is not fair or safe for the dozens of families who live here. While we recognise that everyone deserves support, the safety and wellbeing of an entire community must also be protected.

We are asking local authorities and housing providers to urgently review this situation before his return and consider preventative measures that could protect residents.

Our requests
We are asking decision-makers to urgently consider:

• Extending the existing closure order under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014
• Issuing an Injunction to Prevent Nuisance and Annoyance (IPNA)
• Supporting residents in activating a Community Trigger (ASB Case Review)
• Reviewing safeguarding and risk management arrangements before any return takes place

Stand with our community
Our village is known for its kindness, safety and community spirit. Residents have done everything asked of them by reporting incidents, providing evidence and working with authorities.

Now we need wider support.

Please sign this petition to help protect the residents of Meadowbank and ensure the safety of our community is properly considered.