A woman has expressed relief after garages were boarded up that she claimed had been “taken over by squatters and used as drug dens”.

The woman, who lives in Liverpool Road, Watford, came to the Watford Observer after she was disappointed with Watford Borough Council’s response when she complained about the antisocial behaviour on the road.

She said: “There are some council-owned garages that have been taken over by squatters for about six months now.

Watford Observer: The garages have been boarded up after the Watford Observer contacted the councilThe garages have been boarded up after the Watford Observer contacted the council (Image: Submitted)

“They have been used as drug dens too.”

She also claimed the squatters have attempted to break into cars and stolen items from people’s front gardens - leaving her “terrified” to walk down the road.

“You shouldn’t need a man to walk with you to feel safe, but as a woman I don’t feel I can walk on my own here because of the squatters,” she added.  

But the woman, who has lived on the road for nearly 15 years, said she was surprised by the council’s response when she raised the alarm nearly two weeks ago.

She said: “The council said to me: ‘It’s not easy to just evict someone from a garage’.

“But I can’t understand why, especially when we live in the epicentre of crime here.”

However, the garages have now been boarded up after the Watford Observer contacted the council on Friday, February 10, to ask them about the woman’s claims.

She said: “I’m incredibly relieved that the garages have been boarded up.

“In theory, nobody can use them now, but it should have been done months ago.

Watford Observer: The garages in a block on Liverpool Road were being used by squatters as drug dens, a woman claimed. The garages in a block on Liverpool Road were being used by squatters as drug dens, a woman claimed. (Image: Submitted)
“It took the Watford Observer getting involved for them to finally do something about it.”

Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said the council takes reports of illegal or antisocial behaviour very seriously.

He added: “In this case, we took action last week with the police to remove an individual from the Liverpool Road site and we are now securing the garages to stop any further issues for residents.

“I would encourage anyone with concerns to get in touch with the council or the police using the police ‘101’ number, so we can respond quickly and resolve matters.”