Neighbours in Tufnell Park say anti-social behaviour by drug users is making their lives a misery – and has been exacerbated by an enormous hedge.

Peter Havey was burgled on Tuesday and believes the people he sees loitering in Lady Margaret Road are responsible.

“I have been living here since 2006, but my partner moved here in 1982,” he told the Gazette. “It was a peaceful neighbourhood until recently, when various crimes started being reported.”

He believes housing association Peabody has responsibility for cutting the foliage, which he says gives dealers shelter and privacy. After being contacted by the Gazette, Peabody agreed to send out a contractor.

When the Gazette visited, there were discarded biros on the grass, which Mr Haley believed had been used to snort drugs.

He reckons addicts were behind the raid at his house because a number of ballpoint pens were stolen.

Pensioner Sylvia Jacobs said: “I have three grandchildren, and I am concerned about their safety.

“Some time ago, a drug dealer even managed to come over in to my back garden.”

She added: “They definitely need to cut those hedges next door.”