TENANTS say they are being terrorised by drug addicts who get into their block of flats through broken security doors.

Families on the Woodgrange Drive Estate, Southend, claim the broken security doors are allowing junkies and drunks to get in to urinate and take drugs, making their lives a misery.

Stephen Campion, 54, who lives in Carousel Steps, says more than half the 40 tenants in his block have signed a petition which will be taken to other blocks where tenants are having similar problems.

He said: “The two security doors to the north and south of Carousel have been broken for years. We are constantly asking Estuary Housing Association to do something about it but it ignores it. Now it has got so bad we felt we had to speak out and get something done.

“My neighbour’s baby is just starting to walk and she is terrified of the toddler treading in puddles of urine.

“Some residents are afraid to answer the door. One young woman upstairs is terrified. They often bang on her door and put their hands through her letterbox.

“They congregate in an alcove outside her door and take drugs and get drunk. The are causing mayhem and we can’t go on like this any more.

Something has to be done about it.”

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: “We shouldn’t have to live in this environment. It’s wrong.

“There are drug users in the stairwells and people weeing everywhere. I have young grandchildren here and we’re worried about wheeling them through puddles of wee and it getting into our homes.

“The doors have been broken for more than three years and they just won’t do anything about it.”

Joanne Jones, spokeswoman for Estuary Housing, which manages the Woodgrange Drive estate, said she was unaware of any complaints.

She added: “We consulted with residents who chose to have a security firm in place from the hours of 5pm to 5am rather than a programme of replacement doors.

“At this time, a number of the door entry systems to blocks were still operating satisfactorily. We agreed that we would not charge residents for the door entry system element of the service charge.

“We continued to undertake repairs to the door entry system where possible and these costs have been funded by Estuary directly. During this time some of the door entry systems have become irreparable.”

The housing association urged residents who are having problems to call security company Guarde UK.

Ms Jones added: “They will come out and deal with the situation and work with the police and statutory authorities where necessary.

“We have received excellent feedback from residents about the security guards on the estate and the difference they have made since 2013.”

The association said it would be meeting residents to discuss the future of the doors to blocks within the next six weeks.

 

COMMENTS ADDED TO THE PETITION

* Why should we have to walk through wee every day? Then it goes into our homes on our shoes. What’s the point of having security doors if they don’t work?

* I’m fed up with wee on the stairs. It’s not a public toilet ! There are porn mags everywhere ! Drugged people sleep on the stairs every morning. People are coming in all the time.

* Why should my kids have to walk past urine every day?

* My place was broken into. Drug users are sitting on the stairs outside my flat. I’ve complained too many times.

* We’re scared. People run around all day and night.