Ref. 75681-21A MAN who survives on benefits is complaining the council is charging him to remove rubbish near his home, which he says was left by drug dealers.

Kim Bond, of Emlyn Square in the Railway Village, claims people in the area know who is responsible for the mess and says it is unfair everyone is being punished for it.

He said: "Even the police know who these people are but they seem to be able to act with impunity."

The council say it has been an ongoing problem and because the waste is of a dangerous nature it costs money to remove.

Mr Bond, 36, said: "It's not fair that we are having to pay to clear up after drug dealers.

"Everyone knows who they are but nothing gets done about it. I've been here a year and nothing's been done.

"I don't want to have to worry about how much the council are going to charge me for someone else's rubbish.

"I don't even know if I'm going to be in a position to pay it.

"I'm worried that if I can't pay it I'll be threatened with eviction.

Mr Bond said that before the council collected the mess this week it was piled five feet high against the wall of the flats.

"It's all syringes and stuff from drug dealers, that's why the council are charging for it.

"The first couple of times I rang them they told me to clear it myself but I'm not touching that sort of stuff, it's too dangerous," he said.

Mr Bond suffers from a blood disorder and as a result has an ulcer on his leg.

"I've got an open wound on my leg. I can't go round trying to clear up stuff left by druggies. It's a massive risk."

Four of the five flats in Mr Bond's block are occupied and the bill from the council, for £220, will be divided among them.

He said: "I don't work because of my health. I'm living off benefits, I haven't got that sort of money lying around."

Spokeswoman for Swindon Council Sarah Deacon said: "This is an area that we have had on-going problems with people dumping rubbish.

"As soon as we clear the area up, more waste is dumped. The rubbish is also dangerous. We have found syringes this time.

"We are happy to move this and have now done so but it is costing money every time rubbish is left there.

"Therefore, we have to charge for the removal. Unfortunately, as we do not know who the individuals are that keep doing this, we have to split the charge between all the residents.

"The cost for this removal will be £220. We would urge people to come forward, if they know who is doing this, to stop their neighbours having to pay."

Inspector Ian Stevenson from Swindon Police said: "We are aware of a drug issue in that area of town. We welcome any information on misuse of drugs and where ever we are able we respond to information."

"We have carried out a number of warrants in that area with varying degrees of success. It is not an issue that is being ignored by us."

Gareth Bethell