Terrified residents are pleading for help to stop drug addicts using their close as a shooting gallery.

Syringes, human excrement and drug paraphernalia blighting the Calton flats have caused some locals to flee their homes, while others are too scared to leave.

In one close on Stevenson Street, the stench of human waste was so strong it could be smelled from the street, while inside needles and rubbish were scattered everywhere.

Our reporter counted at least 40 needles in the close and back garden, surrounded by faeces, urine, aluminium heroin spoons and unused medical waste bags.

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In an adjacent garden, furniture was scattered across the grass with more syringes amongst it.

One Calton resident, who was too scared to be named for fear of repercussions, told the Evening Times: “Last Sunday I came home and there were two people lying out in the back - I thought they were dead.

“I phoned the police, they came out and just got them up and told them to be on their way but it happens all the time.I have to stay with a friend most nights as I have nowhere else to stay, and I’m too worried to come home.

“If you phone up the council about the needles, they say its not their responsibility as it’s all private landlords.

“The [drug users] come right into the close, so I just stay in the house when that happens or try and get out and stay with my brother.”

The front door of the building had been missing for a year as landlords who own the flats failed to organise a replacement between them.

Eventually two landlords clubbed together to fix it, but is yet to deter drug users from using the area to shoot up.

The tenement the Evening Times visited has no designated factor, so maintaining the building and keeping it safe for those living there has been let slip.

Another resident said: “It’s been like this for about two and a half years, drugs, needles, everything.

“My house got broken into last year and since then I haven’t been the same. They took a lot of things that were personal to me.

“I don’t know who else lives here but it’s out of control.”

A spokesman from Glasgow City Council said a solution would involve "a number of agencies" taking action.

He added: "This is an unfortunate position however it is the responsibility of tenants and owners to maintain their own properties.

"If the tenant or landlord could contact our environmental health team, we can visit the site and see how we can help.

"In terms of moving to another rented property it is best to contact local housing associations.

"Another option is to contact landlords to ask the property's factor to secure the close, stopping unauthorised access to both the close and back court.

He confirmed the council service available for removing syringes only applies to public spaces and added that the issue of illegal drug use was a "police matter".

Anyone with concerns relating to public health can contact Glasgow City Council on 0141 287 1059.