Homes are being put at risk of burglary because no-one is willing to take responsibility for resurrecting a blown-down fence, according to a resident of Marston Avenue, Dagenham.
Anthony O’Neill says youngsters have been climbing into gardens to take drugs and drink alcohol since the tall fence lining an alleyway between homes was felled during strong winds more than two months ago.
“People are feeling unsafe in their own homes and no one is taking action,” he said.
Barking and Dagenham Council, the police and Bellway Homes have all denied responsibility and Anthony is not sure where to turn next.
He is particularly concerned about his elderly friend John Rayner, who has been burgled in the past.
“He feels at risk and it is quite upsetting for him,” Anthony said. “He has spent £5,000 to try and protect his house and this knocked down fence completely undermines that.”
Anthony added that even he could scale the four-foot brick wall that used to lie behind the much taller fence so it proves no barrier to the youngsters who congregate there.
“I can hop over it so there is no security there at all,” he said. “The problem is getting somebody to do something about it as we are just getting the runaround.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here