EXCLUSIVE: Residents of one estate speak out on drug abuse and knife violence in one of the city’s most troubled neighbourhoods.
Residents say you can hear sirens all night at Northam estate in Southampton (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
On Northam Estate, in Southampton, the evening does not arrive quietly. Sirens wail in the distance, punctuated by shouting, the clatter of overturned bins, and the low hum of traffic that winds through the labyrinth of streets. Children’s laughter is rare, and instead the air carries the acrid smell of smoke and drugs. Cars are scarred by scratches and dents, discarded mattresses and litter pile up along pavements, and strangers wander the roads late into the night.
For many residents, this is not a temporary nuisance, it is daily life. From mid-afternoon onwards, small groups gather in corners, their presence a reminder that the estate has become a hub for drug use, street-level dealing, and anti-social behaviour. Those who live here describe a sense of constant vigilance, an effort to keep family and home safe as they navigate the unpredictable rhythms of the neighbourhood.
Charlotte Glazebrook and her kids says threats are a daily occurence (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
Residents complain of drug users plaguing the estate (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
Charlotte Glazebrook, 41, a mother of six, speaks of daily threats and neglect. “It is a sh*thole. People carrying machetes, taking drugs, the smell of drugs everywhere. People know everyone, and you get into trouble if you mess with the wrong people,” she said.
“I live in a three-bedroom flat with six children, and the council doesn’t help. Last year we had a bedbug issue, they sent someone, but they took almost all my furniture and gave me a £1,000 bill.”
Residents describe the estate as a place where fear and frustration coexist. Those who have lived here for decades admit that the problems have grown, from the spread of drug abuse and gangs to housing issues, infestations, and poor council support.
“It’s not a good area,” says Bashir Karimi, 46, who lives with his four-year-old son. “There are always a lot of druggies around shouting at night. One of them even scratched my car. I don’t feel safe.
“From three o’clock, you can start to see them all come in. I took pictures to report to the police, but they told me I wasn’t allowed to take photos. And there is always rubbish in the streets. People pull out the bins, I don’t know what they’re searching for, but it’s left everywhere.”
Rory Kane, 36, recalls a terrifying incident during a recent cold snap. “Some people on drugs broke into the building to get warm,” he says.
“Then they tried to break into my house. My wife was alone and had to shout my name to make them think someone was home. It was so scary. The estate has many exit points, so by the time you call the police, they’ve gone.”
James Hyland, 53, said the noise is constant (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
An abandoned vandalised truck in the estate (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
Katherine Karowea, 48, frequently walks her dog through the area. “It’s very dirty, and in the last few weeks, there have been young people wielding knives.
“It’s terrifying. There’s a police centre here, but I’ve never seen it open. The police don’t do anything. I would never live here,” she says, declining a photo as she said: “I’ll get in trouble if they saw my face. They’ll find me.”
For James Hyland, 53, who moved in six months ago, the noise and disorder are constant. “It is horrible. Very noisy at night, trash everywhere,” he says, gesturing toward a mattress abandoned on the pavement.
“There are so many people on drugs and alcohol. You can hear sirens all night, but I don’t see the police presence making much of a difference.”
Wayne Hobbit, 69, has watched the estate decline over decades. “Years ago, this was a good estate,” he says. “Now, people gather on the grass drinking and taking drugs.
“The council is changing windows, but they won’t deal with mould, rats, or broken facilities. None of that has been addressed.”
Zamira Kay said that, on the contrary, people on the estate are friendly (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
One resident says she has never seen the police office open (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
But not every resident sees the estate as unsafe. Nineteen-year-old Zamira Kay, who has lived here her whole life, says: “I think it’s great. I don’t have any issues here, and it’s very friendly.”
The council says it is taking action. Councillor Sarah Bogle, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Growth and Skills, explains that while Northam Estate sits outside her ward, colleagues are focusing on housing, anti-social behaviour, and crime.
“Drug-related crime is significant, and there are joint efforts with the police and voluntary organisations to tackle it,” she says. She adds that services include drug treatment programs, homelessness support, youth activities, and increased police visibility.
“Residents reporting problems is crucial,” Ms Bogle says. “The more information the police have, the better they can target resources. It’s about partnership – council, police, voluntary sector – all working together.”
But for many living on the estate, the interventions feel slow, and daily life remains tense. Northam Estate is a place where fear and frustration are part of the routine, and where safety can feel uncertain at every turn.
A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: “It is of utmost importance to us that residents of the Northam estate have confidence that their local policing team are working to tackle the issues which matter most to them.
“We have seen a continual decrease in the overall number of crimes reported in the area, particularly over the last year, but we also acknowledge that it is key people feel safe in their community.
“Tackling drug-supply, and the associated violence and activities that accompany this, and addressing anti-social behaviour are priorities for us.
“Our local policing team carry out regular patrols on the estate, which includes stopping at stores, the café and the community centre to speak with local people about any issues. We also work hard to develop and act on information provided to us to disrupt criminal behaviour, as well as targeting individuals or addresses involved in such activity.
“We work closely with the council, the local housing officer and estate wardens to make sure information is being shared and issues are dealt with. As well as their patrols, our neighbourhood policing officers also hold regular community meetings, where residents can come to see us and directly discuss issues impacting them.
“We will continue to work to tackle the issues raised by the community, and would urge them to keep reporting these to us so we can develop intel and for it to inform our patrol plans.”
Daily Express has also approached Southampton City Council for comment.
