Video vigilante mum takes on drug dealers and prostitutes

Janet Scott says she is fed up with standing by helpless while criminals cruise the streets of Middlesbrough.

The 45-year-old, of Emerald Street, has filmed people she suspects are visiting prostitutes for sex, dealing drugs or leaving untaxed cars in the area.

Mrs Scott said she and her three-year-old son Aaron were kept awake at night by the noise from women fighting about money or drugs.

She said it was not even safe for the toddler to play out in the garden.

"This is no environment to bring a small child up in," said Mrs Scott.

"Residents round here are disgusted by what is happening but most are frightened to say anything, but I will speak out.

"People are openly doing drugs in the street and the noise is having a terrible effect on us."

On nearby Borough Road, some traders have had so many problems with people thieving from shops to feed drug addictions and prostitutes fighting they are screening customers before allowing them on to their premises.

Mrs Scott said she would move if she could afford to but she is in negative equity after the house she bought for £27,000 plummeted in value to about £20,000, despite the recent property boom.

She has called the police and community wardens and passed the information and videos on to Middlesbrough Council, but feels her efforts are in vain.

Council spokesman Mike Clark said: "This lady is obviously concerned for her neighbourhood and wants to make it a better place and we applaud that.

"We are working with the police to tackle the problems and stop the rot. With the support of residents we can be successful."

Sergeant Paul Higgins, of Cleveland Police's vice unit, said they were aware of the problems in the Emerald Street area.

"This type of activity makes the quality of life for residents terrible and we are committed to taking action,"he said.

"If this lady has got video evidence of a house being used as a brothel or for dealing drugs then we would like her to contact us."