A father of young children is calling for immediate action after his wife said she witnessed a man smoking heroin outside a nursery near their home.

The middle-aged man, who is too afraid to give his name, lives in Low Hall Lane, off Markhouse Road, Walthamstow.

He claims violent gangs and drug users roam the streets and are causing neighbours to live in fear, and says the problems have come to a head in recent weeks.

“Last week my wife actually saw a man taking heroin outside a nursery and she reported it to the police,” he said.

“He was smoking it off tinfoil. And I have seen needles outside the nursery gates as well.

“If you look at the area we’re living in, you’ll see the concentration of primary schools and nurseries.

“This heroin use is going on around our kids as they go to and from school. They are smelling it, seeing it and they are witnesses to it.

“One of the drug users approached my kids and tried to hug them.”

The man claims his neighbours are considering moving out of the area because of the recent spate of crimes.

In April, the Met recorded 12 violent incidents in Markhouse ward, as well as 29 thefts including 10 from vehicles.

A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot outside Walthamstow Leisure Centre, which is around the corner from Low Hall Lane, on April 2.

Just days later, a hammer was thrown through the kitchen window of a family home after a mother told a group of youths off for smoking outside.

The man, who attended a community ward panel meeting of Markhouse Police Safer Neighbourhoods Team on May 23, claims the police and council are “bouncing the issues around” between each other, without getting to the root of the problem.

He said: “The police say this is a council issue and the council says it is a police issue.

“There are social elements and criminal elements to this and these people (drug users) have long-term pdroblems which they need help with.

“We are seeing a lot of funds being spent on glamour projects like cycle lanes. I understand they are good and they keep people safe but this needs to be treated as a priority.

“People using heroin outside nurseries is not something to be dealt with down the line.

“It makes me angry and keeps me awake at night and my wife has been in tears.”

Cllr Ahsan Khan, cabinet member for community safety, said: “We have not received reports in regards to anti-social behaviour, drug use, or fly-tipping at this location. Reporting tools are available 24 hours a day seven days a week on the council website.

“Reports of open drug use and violence are concerning. Residents should always call the police on 999 if a crime is in progress.”

A spokesman for Low Hall Nursery said it is has worked hard with the police and council to solve the issue of drug-using rough sleepers in a nearby carpark.

He said although it has taken the council “a long period of time” to address the issue, it recently cleared the carpark.

He added: “In our view a simple solution would be for the council to fence off the open space around the Ferguson Centre, which they own, which would stop this area being used for anti-social behaviour and create a safer environment for all concerned.

“We continue to put the safety and wellbeing of our children, families and staff first and we will continue to report the issues to the police and council to ensure that our nursery entrance and adjoining car park is safe.”

Markhouse Police Safer Neighbourhood Team has been contacted for comment.