Life on the streets where house prices have plummeted - and families fear going out at night

On Saturday Hulme Park was tranquil. Couples lazed in the sun enjoying picnics and families watched on as their children played happily.

On the surface everything seems fine, but over the last year house prices in this area have plunged more than anywhere else in Greater Manchester. And while families are out enjoying the weather during the day, the park has already been earmarked as a crime hotspot by police, with people saying they fear going out at night.

Shakira Salman, who was sitting on a bench in the play area with her young son, said she does not enter the park after dark when children and families are replaced by roaming gangs dealing drugs.

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The 34-year-old mum, who has rented a home in Hulme for the last three years, said: “We have heard about a few gangs and possibly a bit of unrest in some areas especially in the parks at night there are a few gangs of boys that sell stuff. We avoid coming towards the park after 8pm.”

Sat next to Shakira, Shadan Ala, a mum of three who is also renting in Hulme, said she is aware of drugs being sold in the area.

“They [the gangs] ask you if you want weed. My son goes to the gym at night and he says every night somebody is there and asks ‘if you want something’. He says sometimes it’s scary around there,” she said.

Another mum, who has lived in Hulme for 20 years and did not give her name, said she too knows of gangs operating in the area.

The 40-year-old mum of four, said: “There is crime and there is gang violence and there always has been. If you look at the