ANGRY residents are to finally get their say on the soaring crime rates affecting the Broadgate and Fishergate Hill areas of town.

Drug peddling, burglaries and prostitution are rife, say locals who are now challenging police chiefs to clamp down on 'criminals' living in hostels along Fishergate Hill.

The Citizen last month highlighted how teenage prostitutes were soliciting pensioners as they left Broadgate's sub Post Office with their pensions and how violent crime in the area has escalated recently.

Councillors say the problem is getting worse -- with incidents such as robberies and violent crime now happening on a daily basis.

Now, a public meeting has been organised at St Stephens school, South Meadow Lane, on Monday, February 19, at 7pm to discuss how best to tackle the situation.

Councillor Elaine Abbot, who will be present at the public meeting, said: "A senior police officer will be present at this vital meeting as well as myself.

"Hopefully, there will be a representative from the council present, but really this is a police matter."

She added: "There's not a day goes by when something happens on Fishergate Hill.

"In my opinion, landlords of the establishments on Fishergate Hill are the ones who will have to take responsibility for the people who stay there.

"I sincerely hope that there is a good turn-out at the meeting so the police can see that residents' concerns are justified."