THEY are a couple who are fed up of living in fear on the drugs frontline.

For months Claire Carter and Joe Goodenough have felt too scared to leave their flat in West Swindon because of drug dealing going on nearby.

But now they have had enough and want to stand up to those making their lives a misery.

The couple, who have lived in Marney Road, Grange Park, since July last year say drug activity has made their lives hell.

Claire, 21, said: "We have lived here about a year and everything was fine until last July.

"There are people coming and going at all times of the night sometimes mistakenly knocking on our door asking for crack, ketamine or heroin.

"There's also music blaring out at all times of the night and huge arguments outside where I've even heard people threatening others by saying they're going home to get their gun.

"We have called environmental health about the noise several times but it never seems to do much good. We've also asked the council to be rehoused, but we are getting nowhere.

"The police are also well aware of the situation and even raided the area before Christmas."

In the last few months they have been threatened several times, had their door kicked in, and have even been told they will have all their windows smashed in.

Joe, 19, said: "No-one should have to live like this. Drugs are making our lives a complete misery. I suffer from depression and the stress is not doing me any good at all.

"We are scared to leave the flat in case someone breaks in and burgles us. Also we are scared of being attacked in the corridor or someone sticking a needle in us."

Claire also suffers from a mental personality disorder. In 2003, she was jailed for life after setting fire to her flat putting others lives in danger, but she was freed three months later by the Court of Appeal.

She had barricaded herself in her room with the intention of taking her own life. Now she gets regular psychiatric help.

"I've been through enough without having to put up with this," she said.

"Enough is enough. Something needs to be done and we've got to stand up and say so because no-one else will for us."

Another neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "There is definitely a lot of activity, I won't let my kids play in the street anymore.

"It's just a few bad apples making life miserable for the rest of us."

Sergeant Scott Hargreave of Swindon police crime targeting team, said: "Our constant aim is to improve the quality of life for the people of Swindon.

"No-one should have to put up with the problems associated with drugs use on their doorstep.

"We would like to reassure the public that we are committed to taking positive action against those involved in the supply of controlled drugs. Clearly, we cannot do this alone and urge the local community to support us.

"The kind of information we need to know is who, what, where and when."

A Swindon Council spokeswoman said: "Claire Carter was accepted as homeless by Swindon Council and placed in temporary accommodation until a council property was found. We are aware of the difficulties she has had recently and we have now have found suitable accommodation."

Anyone with information about drug dealing is encouraged to call Swindon police on 0845 408 7000; Crimestop-pers, in confidence, on 0800 555111, or the Action Together hotline on 0845 605 2222.