Shocked Bulwell residents speak out about living on the same street as a 'deconstructed meth lab'

Residents described the estate as 'quiet' for families

Shocked residents have been left worrying for their children when emergency services discovered what appeared to be a 'deconstructed meth lab' in a "quiet" Bulwell housing estate.

Police were called to a house in Potters Hollow at around 11.45pm on Saturday, December 7 following reports of suspicious circumstances.

A spokesman for the force said a landlord reported that a previous tenant had left behind a number of bottled chemicals and what appeared to be a "deconstructed meth lab."

The fire service discovered an "unopened bottle of an unknown liquid" and decided to set up a scene in the property for safety.

Residents on the estate spoke of their shock at the scene and said the street was "quiet" area for families.

Steve Baxter, 33, a personal trainer who lives on the Bulwell estate said: "I was not expecting to hear that on a Monday morning. It's really shocking stuff.

"A lot of kids live here so that's a real shame that this is happening.

"You don't like seeing police all over where you live. You don't know what's been going off in that house. I've lived here around six months. It's not a good look for a nice area."

Kellie Taylor, 28, who works in retail and lives on the estate.

The mum-of-one said: "It's awful. It's a really nice area here to be honest. That's probably why they picked it.

"Of course it's really shocking. I just hope police find who is responsible. There's been police here all night. I am worried as a mum that my son is living near where drugs could be being made.

"You hear about weed den busts but never meth really. That's really grim to hear."

Police have launched an investigation, but no arrests have yet been made.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service added: “It is looking likely it is a drugs production site. No one has been evacuated (from the area) and there is no immediate danger to the public.”

Chief Constable for Nottinghamshire Police, Craig Guildford, said it is “not very often” his officers come across meth labs.

He told Nottinghamshire Live: “I think this is the first one we have found this year. We come across a lot of cannabis grows but in terms of meth labs that is something relatively rare as a force.

“At the moment, I have not had it confirmed it is that.

“I do not think there is a massive market for it, but if you look at evidence in America (where the market is bigger) we do not want to be in that situation.

“It is good that we have come across it and that we are investigating it, if it does turn out to be a meth lab.

“If something comes to the UK it usually starts in London and then spreads.”

Sarah Dean, 30, who lives on the estate nearby, added: “I’m so shocked by that. It’s crazy to hear. It’s not a laughing matter. I don’t know who lives there but it’s a quiet area, it’s peaceful with a lot of families here.

"Police were all over the street last night. It was really shocking to see and to hear about this meth lab is absolutely crazy.”

Chelsea Tan, 28, who moved to Potters Hollow in the summer said: “I’m a mum-of-two. My kids are three and four. It’s worrying for me to see that. They play on this street on their bikes.

"I moved here because it was a nice and quiet area. You can’t control what happens around you but it is worrying that it’s so close.”

A meth lab is a laboratory used to manufacture the drug methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine, a Class A drug, can come in several different forms – including tablets, powder, or crystals.

The tablets are sometimes referred to as 'yaba', while the smokeable crystals are often called 'crystal meth' or 'ice.'

Possession can get result in up to 5 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.

Supplying someone else can get someone up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.

Police are calling for anyone with information to get in touch.

They can be reached on 101, quoting incident 931 of 7 December 2019.