Residents in one part of a city claim they are being intimidated by anti-social behaviour.
They say areas of Swansea Marina are now subjected to behaviour that includes drug-dealing, binge-drinking, littering, setting fires, urinating against flats and peering through residential windows.
They also say crucial life-saving rings are routinely thrown into the marina.
A Maritime Quarter Residents Association spokesman said: “Elderly residents are intimidated weekly by the anti-social behaviour from youths, so much so that nobody is willing to talk about it or even go to the police because they are scared."
Residents blame the council for neglecting the area, but Swansea Council says it has been instrumental in developing the marina and that anti-social behaviour is an issue for the police.
Police are utilising Section 35 dispersal orders, which allow officers to exclude people from an area for up to 48 hours.
“Everything negative happening is a result of the council not doing enough," said the MQRA spokesman.
“There are no bins so litter is a huge problem. There are no public toilets so people tend to just go against the houses and everywhere else
“Life belts are being stolen every day. I will go out on a walk on see no life belts, the marina is constantly having to replace them and it is threatening life, there’s no sense in it."
According to a maintenance worker, there has always been a drug problem in the area but they claim it seems to have "gotten progressively worse".
One couple, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "The police have been very proactive but at the wrong times. Come down to the area in the early hours of the morning to see drug dealings in the car park.
"I have heard from a number of residents that when they look outside their windows in the early hours of the morning, they see drug deals taking place.”
Another resident, who also wished to remain anonymous, reported recently seeing "glass bottles everywhere" in the park and had to dispose of them at home because of a lack of outdoor bins in the area.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "We are working alongside local police to deal with incidents of anti-social behaviour when they are reported. Litter bins are provided in and around the marina.
"Any that have been damaged or vandalised have been removed and we have installed new ones.
"All life belts that are installed across Swansea are regularly checked to ensure they are in place but if the public becomes aware of ones which are missing then we would urge them to contact the council immediately so we can replace them."
Anti-social behaviour - what is it?
Sergeant Martyn Poole of South Wales Police said: “Levels of anti-social behaviour have been identified as a key priority at local Pact meetings and I encourage residents to keep reporting issues to us and we are continuing to patrol the area particularly in peak times to address anti-social behaviour.
“We are also using other options to deal with the issues such as issuing Section 35 notices which will be subject to regular review. In addition to the Section 35 dispersal notices, we also use powers to confiscate alcohol and if the behaviour meets criminal levels or the order is breached then prosecution will be considered.
“Officers have gone to local schools and delivered talks on the impact of anti-social behaviour in and around the area and I ask parents and guardians to be aware of where their children are and what they are up to.
“The reports have been about young people aged between 10 and 16 years old and underage drinking can put young people at risk. We take anti-social behaviour seriously as it can have a significant impact on the community and being involved in it can also have consequences for those responsible and their parents/guardians.
“I want to reassure the community that we are taking their concerns very seriously and will take a positive stand against all incidents of anti-social behaviour.
“Policing patrols will continue to deter and take action against the minority who cause misery in these communities. Our aim is to improve the quality of life to those who reside, visit and work in the city centre, marina and beach front areas.”
Anyone with information on anti-social behaviour can call South Wales Police on 101.
