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31st July 2023
08:54am BST
Residents have described living in a tower block as a "living hell" where vandals break in, light fires and throw projectiles from the roof.
Trey Walker lives in one of the 241 flats at The Panorama, in Ashford, Kent, and said teen hooligans are kicking doors in and scrawling obscene graffiti on the walls.
The 25-year-old said they have caused flooding by breaking basement pipes, smoke cannabis on the staircases and recklessly throw projectiles from the roof of the nine-storey building.
Trey said the level of security staff was reduced in December 2022 and it has since become “a living hell”.
Trey, who works at Subway, said: “The anti-social behaviour has just become unbearable but it’s also criminal damage and trespassing - they are destroying the place.
“It’s time to take a stand. We can’t carry on like this any more.”
Trey said the teenagers are able to get inside the building by prising open the front sliding doors or kicking in the rear fire doors.
He said they get up on the roof and throw down footballs and stones and said one large bag of sand was hurled which landed on a car and “wrote it off”.
They have also stolen parcels in the communal postbox area, attempted to set fires in a staircase and left steps littered with matches.
Further damage includes kicking in the panels of fire exit doors, ripping out fire exit signs and taking doors clean off their hinges before smearing obscene drawings on them.
They have also flooded the basement by breaking piping, knocked out panelling in partitions below staircases – and run through corridors, ringing doorbells and trying the handles to get into people’s flats.
Trey has been in the block for two years and lives with his pregnant fiancée Britney Burgess and their little boy Romeo, two.
He said: “My two-year-old son likes to take the stairs with me but we can’t even do that, because they’re sitting there smoking and smashing glass."
The couple, who pay £950 a month (£830 for rent and £120 for electricity), say before December there were no problems.
Britney, who is expecting another baby in January, said: “I don’t want to live here anymore."
The 23-year-old continued: "I don’t feel safe. If the building goes up when a fire is set, what then?”
Britney had to call Trey home from work when she was so frightened of the hooligans running around kicking doors."
Walker said: “It’s causing so many issues for people’s mental well-being.
“It’s honestly just so tiring. I’ve had to kick teens out of the building twice.
“We are looking to move out but I would advise people to double-check before moving here as it’s just a living hell.”
Other residents have complained and air their concerns on their Facebook group.
A spokesman for building managers Centrick said: “In conjunction with the owners, a building security survey was undertaken and following the results of the survey brought The Panorama in line with other similar sites.
“This new security level includes a full-time building manager and daily patrols.
"This security level is under constant review, however, and includes regular consultation with residents. "Following a recent consultation with residents, plans have also been approved to implement enhanced CCTV and access control measures, with timescales for installation imminent.
“The incidents alleged were dealt with speedily by the building management and the police were fully informed. “We’re disappointed that the isolated actions of a few vandals have impacted our residents and continue to work with all parties to maintain the safety and security of The Panorama.”
A Kent Police spokesman said: “Ashford's Neighbourhood Beat Team have been made aware of concerns over anti-social behaviour at the property in Park Street and will work with partners agencies and residents to identify anyone responsible and take appropriate action.
“Anyone with concerns is urged to report offences through the Kent Police website, or call 999 if a crime is in progress, so that local officers have the best information available to them when responding.”
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