ONGOING problems on a Swindon high street have led to a business owner to call the issue a shambles, following yet another police raid.

The police operation on a flat in Old Town happened in front of Mahmut Dingol’s shops, Old Town Barbers and Old Town Kebab House.

Police were seen entering the flat above the closed Co-op Funeralcare on the morning of June 4 but he says this is not a rare occurrence.

Mahmut said: “It doesn’t surprise me. It’s normal, it's been going on at that house for a couple of years.

“When the police come we all know it is that house.”

Mahmut said that police have been visiting the address for “a year or two”, visiting “a minimum” of five times in the last year. 

“And they always seem to come back”, he added.

The address police entered, with a smashed front door, had a closure order placed on it on May 7 for ongoing anti-social behaviour and suspected drug activity at the address.

READ MORE: Police close flat above Swindon Co-op over drugs fears

It banned anyone from entering besides Debra Wilson, Neil Cowley and Stuart Randall.

Mahmut said: “We knew that it was something to do with drugs from a long time ago. But the police have taken so long in acting on it.”

Another business, Boufs Hair and Beauty, is only separated from the address by an alley. 

Owner Hana Stopps says human poo, needles and rubbish with the flat’s address on it have been left in the alleyway. 

READ MORE: Human poo and syringes dumped outside Swindon beauty salon

However, despite police action, Hana and Mahmut are not optimistic about change. Hana said nothing changed after the closure order, saying it has “just been a nightmare”.

Mahmut said: “I am not feeling that hopeful. It is a bit of a shambles. 

If it happens a lot more, then there is going to be a name for it in Old Town, which is not nice.

“The town centre has a bad reputation for drugs, and Old Town will go the same way if those in charge don’t do something about it.”

READ MORE: Three arrested after suspected knifepoint robbery in Old Town

Wiltshire Police have confirmed that they arrested three men. One was seen sat shirtless on the floor before he was led away into the van around 9.25am.

One was arrested on suspicion of robbery, two others for suspected affray, after a woman was threatened with a knife near Wood Street around 8am the same morning as the arrests.

Wiltshire Police asked: "Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is asked to contact us on 101 quoting log 49 of June 4."