Tower block residents told how they have been living in fear after drug dealers and homeless people took over their communal hallways.

The words “the best drugs in town” are graffitied on the wall of the entrance at Elizabeth Tower, Southend.

And a faulty door entry system has also affected the CCTV, which is no longer working properly.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “There’s no security day or night and we can’t stop anyone. I’m so worried

“If there is any trouble we have no one to turn to because Genesis Housing Association keep passing the buck.”

“A couple of weeks ago the cleaner was cleaning all these sleeping bags and clothes from the hallways and he found a six-inch knife underneath their bedding.”

Echo:

One resident said the door was “busted” by visitors sticking cigarette butts into the door fastening so anyone can now access the building.

The door buzzer has also been broken for weeks, causing visitors to shout up to residents for entry, because of this none of the residents are able to have their groceries and prescriptions delivered.

One resident, who didn’t want to be named, told how the block had literally been “taken over” by homeless people over the last three months, saying: “There were around 12 rough sleepers and they had two dogs.

“We understand that there are lots of homeless people with nowhere to go but this can’t go on.”

A spokesman for Genesis Housing Association said contractors were aware of the problem.

He said: “We are in the process of getting the door entry system repaired.

“As of today, we have employed security guards to patrol the site 24 hours a day to prevent anyone from accessing the building who should not be there. “There have been reports of drug dealing at Elizabeth Tower. The police have been informed and we are following their advice.

“We are arranging with our contractor to remove the graffiti and environmental cleans have been carried out on the carpets and where there has been evidence of urine or faeces.

“We hope to have these problems solved quickly.

“We apologise for any inconvenience to residents and thank them for their patience.”