A man who died after being stabbed had been bothered by crime around his flat for many years, according to his brother.
Darren Thrower, of Oxford, says his brother Paul Thrower had reported drug dealing, drinking and smoking within a stairwell at his St Dunstans Close flat, but approached the group himself last night.
Neighbours whose homes back on to the scene say they have felt scared about crime in the area for a long time.
One couple, who did not wish to be named, have lived in Cranford Drive for 15 years and say they see youths ‘drinking and smoking drugs’ around St Dunstans Close ‘every evening’.
“It's not safe for anyone, there’s too much crime and drugs,” said the father of three.
“My wife and I work shifts and it’s scary when you leave at 3am and there’s people hanging around."
He said one of his neighbours reported seeing a group of people wearing hoodies running down an alleyway last night.
He said a police officer told him Mr Thrower suffered a stab wound to the heart.
“It's very sad,” he said. "If it’s the man I think it is, I used to see him walking and he would always say hello. If people are bothering you, you should be able to ask them to stop, but after this I will think twice now.”
His wife says she always feels scared go out to work in the morning.
“It never used to be like that,” she said. "The police say they can't do anything unless they catch them red handed. It does get reported but they say there's not much they can do.”
The area is taped off and forensics are on the scene. Police officers are guarding an area on the third floor. Some flowers have been left outside.
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and is in custody.
