Our town is being overrun with drunks on the streets – we’re terrified to leave our homes
A WOMAN who was sexually assaulted by a man in the street said she no longer felt safe in an area blighted by drunks and druggies.
The woman, in her 50s, was assaulted by a stranger as she made her way to Sainsbury’s at around 8.40pm on April 30.
A man she described as a drunk groped her breasts.
The attack happened on Wilmslow Road which runs through Withington and Fallowfield in South Manchester.
The area is long associated with Manchester’s student population and is lined with bars, pubs and late night takeaways.
But in recent years it has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour. Locals have told of drunks urinating in public and people smoking drugs at bus stops.
The woman, who spoke to the Manchester Evening News, told how she reported the attack to police the following morning.
The woman, named as Andrea by the MEN, said she had now developed a ‘siege mentality’ from living in the area.
Andrea, not her real name, said that there were too many late night drinking licences in the area which has contributed to the level of anti-social behaviour.
She said: “Everyone deserves to live in a community where they feel safe. The laissez-faire manner in which the council are currently granting licences is jeopardising the safety and well being of all residents in this community. It feels like a community under siege.”
Locals have opposed an application put in by a Shell garage in the area to sell alcohol.
They said the prospect of having another off licence in the area fills them with ‘absolute horror.’
Kattie Kincaid told the council meeting that the Shell garage was near to two homeless shelters and should not be allowed to sell booze.
Labour councillor Chris Wills also expressed concerns about the licence application.
Barrister Sarah Clover, who represented the Motor Fuel Group (MFG), said that the garage intended to price out street drinkers and students.
A Manchester council spokesperson said: “Where we receive complaints about street drinking we will always respond
to them.
“Wherever possible this response includes support for anyone with alcohol-related issues who is carrying it out, to help address any underlying issues.”