07-07-2025
Midlothian mum 'living in fear' as nightmare neighbours 'brawl with knives'
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A Midlothian mum is "living in fear" for her young family's safety due to nightmare neighbours - who she caught on camera brawling and brandishing knives just metres away from her home.
Jenna Moffat, from Dalkeith says she's reported years of violence, drug abuse, and animal neglect in and around her block of flats, but the situation is only getting worse.
The mum-of-one says her repeated pleas for help have fallen on deaf ears, as she claims her landlord, Melville Housing Association, 'won't address the ongoing issues'.
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Video captured in the last week showed one man brandishing a knife near to her property whilst trying to enter a flat - with another video showing a physical attack in the stairwell.
Jenna said despite police being called 'numerous times' due to reports of violence involving a tenant at her block of flats, a housing officer advised they 'need to get all their ducks in a row' before action can be taken.
"It feels like we're living in a soap opera, but this is real life," she said.
"I've been in here for four years now and it's been ongoing from the minute I moved in and gradually gotten worse.
"It's horrible because you don't know what you're going to walk out to.
"There are times that we've gone downstairs and there's been people sitting about downstairs taking drugs or people fighting in the stairwell.
"And it's the same thing when we're coming back in.
"This is causing significant fear and alarm to me and my family - I'm now getting antidepressants and anxiety medication due to the stress and everything that's going on.
"I don't really sleep because I'm so anxious - the buzzer goes constantly throughout the day and night and people scream and shout at the door every single day to get in."
(Image: Jenna Moffatt / SWNS)
(Image: Jenna Moffatt / SWNS)
(Image: Jenna Moffatt / SWNS)
The Mayfield resident said local drug users frequent the property which has led to regular antisocial behaviour in the area.
Jenna said neighbours have also shared their worries with her - and say they avoid going downstairs for fear of being attacked.
She said: "The reason I moved to this flat was because I was fleeing domestic violence and what's going on is very, very triggering.
"When I told my housing officer this, they didn't seem to care.
"I've been asking to get moved for the last three years but I'm told they need more evidence before anything can be done.
"I said how much more do you need me to complain about him and give you evidence?
"I've sent videos, pictures, voice notes - but every time something happens, I'm told they don't have enough evidence to remove him from the property.
"But surely he's broken his contract numerous times.
"I really don't know why he's not been removed from the area. I'm just getting nowhere with them.
"They also said I need to put in for an exchange, but I told them no one is going to exchange with me - everybody in Midlothian knows the person and know the sort of thing that goes on."
A Melville Housing Association spokesperson said: "Due to tenant confidentiality, we are unable to comment on individual cases.
"We can confirm that we take all reports of antisocial behaviour and criminal activity seriously and are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our tenants.
"Where incidents are reported to us, we work closely with partners including the police to respond appropriately within the scope of our powers as a landlord."
Police Scotland has been approached for comment.
