A mother was driven to the brink of suicide due to constant loud noise and suspected drug use at a neighbouring property in Rickmansworth.

Jennifer, which is not her real name, says she reached “breaking point” after being forced to put up with nearly a decade of anti-social behaviour at the property in the Mill End area.

The problems started nine years ago when Jennifer was woken by the sound of banging on what she thought was her own front door.

Leaping out of bed she soon realised it was actually a door further down the street which was being violently kicked.

Jennifer said: “It all started with those visits at night—then day and night, the smell of drugs and even seeing them handing over the drugs.

"Then it went to loud music in the garden—my whole house and the windows shook, night and day at all hours.”

Jennifer’s nightmare deepened as the years went by, with aggressive disturbances and loud arguing.

She said that she would even be harassed in the street as she made her way home.

Jennifer said: “I felt like a prisoner in my own home. I couldn’t sit out in the garden.

The music was so loud I couldn’t hear my own television over the noise.

I was near breaking point, I have never been on antidepressants in my life but I had no choice but to go to the doctor.

“My children tell me I am not the same, but living like this, no one could be the same. It has been an utter nightmare for nine years. It came to a breaking point and I felt suicidal over it.”

Eventually Jennifer got in touch with the Three Rivers’ Community Safety Partnership and reported the anti-social behaviour which had become a living nightmare.

The problem household had also been the subject of multiple complaints from other members of the public who had reported suspected drug use, dealing and noise disturbance, as well as people frequently visiting and arguing.

A closure order has now been placed on the problem household by magistrates, meaning no visitors are allowed to enter the property for three months, except emergency services or maintenance contractors with prior permission. 

Anyone who breaches the order could now face a hefty fine and/or jail sentence.

Jennifer said: “If it wasn’t for them [the Community Safety Partnership] I would be six feet under. They worked so quickly and they saved my life—that is how I feel. It’s lovely now. I can actually sit out in my garden and hear the birds singing and relax.”

Jennifer shared the story during anti-social behaviour week (ASB), which is running up until July 25.

The week aims to encourage communities and organisations to take a stand against ASB.

Speaking about Jennifer’s story, Cllr Sarah Nelmes, the leader of Three River District Council, said: “This story is shocking, but sadly we know it is not an isolated case. Many people suffer the ordeal of anti-social behaviour and it can be a very real nightmare. It is heart wrenching to know that some people are driven to suicidal thoughts in these circumstances.

“As with this case, we are here to help and support people affected by anti-social behaviour with our partners in the Community Safety Partnership and I urge anyone who wants to report any such behaviour to get in touch and help us stamp it out for good.”