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Lincoln’s MP has said she is not happy to compare drug-users in our city to zombies.

Karen Lee has responded after local business owners called for action after a number of people were captured laying on the floor of a shop, slouched in a phone box and lying in a daze beside the city's memorial to the war within the last week.

Many comments from businesses we spoke to compared those pictured to the creatures of the undead, or complained about them pestering customers or putting people off from coming into their shops or even the city itself.

One woman even compared her experience to watching a scene from The Walking Dead, a comment later used by the Daily Mail when it described Lincoln as 'the city of the walking dead' in an article based on the Lincolnshire Live story this week.

The story has attracted national headlines and there have been fears at City Hall that the attention could reflect badly on Lincoln - but there is clearly a problem in the city that is not being properly addressed at the moment.

That point has been echoed by the messages that have been posted on the Lincolnshire Live Facebook page since we ran our story - with many people talking of their own experiences of finding people in a trance-like state in the city centre as the rest of Lincoln went about its business.

The Labour politician has conceded there is a drug issue in parts of the city centre, despite Lincoln becoming the first city to enforce a ban on legal highs in April 2015.

She has now vowed to act quickly and tackle the problem head-on, but believes the first step is acknowledging that these people are victims of 'dealers' and 'pushers'.

(Image: James Wadsworth)

“I don’t agree that these people should be called zombies,” she said.

“They are people that are victims of pushers and dealers.

“I acknowledge that there is a problem with drugs in some parts of the city and am looking to hold a meeting with the police, police crime and commissioner Marc Jones and the leaders of the City of Lincoln Council and Lincolnshire County Council to look at how we can tackle this.”

There had been questions debating as to who exactly needed to shoulder responsibility for the problem.

But City of Lincoln councillor for the Castle Ward, Jim Hanraham believes all authorities need to work together to resolve the problem.

“I don’t like the demonisation of people and calling them zombies is completely out of order,” said the 61-year-old.

“They are people who need a lot more support.

“Issues need to be looked at. Do they have homes to go to? Do they have mental health issues? Are they in poverty?

“People laying doorways is not a pleasant thing to see. These people do need help and urgently."

Mr Hanraham doesn’t believe the story, which he viewed as ‘sensationalist’, will deter visitors and tourists from the city.

“I don’t think people will stop coming here,” he added.

“It is good publicity that that is a round robin. It isn’t just here in Lincoln, it is a country issue.

“These individuals need help urgently, and at the same time we need to make sure the city’s image is also protected.”

When approached regarding the issue, all local authorities maintained it was something they were aware and were actively looking to resolve.

Francesca Bell, Acting Team Leader for Public Protection & Anti-Social Behaviour Team at City of Lincoln Council, said: “The city council is aware that there appears to have been an increase in the amount of anti-social behaviour in Lincoln in recent weeks.

“In response, we have stepped up our enforcement of the Public Space Protection Order we introduced in 2015.

“We all know that Lincoln is a beautiful city and we want to keep it that way. Together with Lincolnshire Police we will tackle this issue and ask that the public assist us by reporting any issues they encounter by calling 101.”

Insp Steve Williamson, Lincoln City Inspector, added: “We carry on focussing our efforts to deal with ASB issues in the City.

"PCSOs have body worn video camera which they are expected to deploy when dealing with incidents and although their powers often prevent action beyond moving people on, we are building an evidence pile, around anti-social behaviour, including legal high use.

"We will seek enforcement action alongside the council ASB team where this is proportionate. Police officers will be seeking out any criminal action and arresting when necessary."

Natasha Swift, service manager for Addaction Lincolnshire, who help treat people with drug addictions talked of a new initiative that will see all local authorities including the mental health trust united in attempting to address the issue.

She said: “Firstly these people shouldn’t be called ‘zombies’. Part of helping remove the stigma is by remembering these are real human beings with lives and families but have a health issue.

“We have a service in the city centre which is in walking distance of the High Street and Steep Hill.

“Next week a new council-funded project is launching called P3 rough sleepers. This involves ourselves, the mental health trust and Ark who are Lincolnshire Police.

“Each individual has a different need but access to treatment is a choice and if people don’t want help then it isn’t really effective.

“I believe we should all share responsibility as part of a multi-disciplinary and holistic approach.”