Residents of a Southend apartment block are “too terrified” to step out their front doors after criminal activity reached a “fever pitch”, it is claimed.

Barringtons, Sutton Road, has become the site of regular drug deals, violent attacks, and spates of theft according to residents.

Those living in the troubled block are now calling on building managers’ South Essex Homes, to step up security measures for their own safety with video identification on entry and a heavy duty steel door.

One resident, who asked not to be identified for fear of recrimination, said: “It is absolutely ridiculous, we shouldn’t have to live with this on our front doorstep. Many residents here are elderly, and are terrified to open their front doors for fear of what they’ll find outside.

“It started with clothes being stolen from our laundry room, but now we’ve had rough sleepers injecting drugs while in the building and dealers fighting in the hallway. It just isn’t safe, and something needs to be done.

“It feels as though we have been abandoned by South Essex Homes. They have introduced some security patrols but I don’t think it goes far enough considering the scale of the problems we face on a daily basis.”

A spokesman for South Essex Homes said: “We are aware that there are some issues with rough sleepers and associated problems in Barringtons. Some residents have expressed their desire for a 24-hour security patrol.

“Further conversations need to be had to determine whether this is something residents fully support and, if so, how the cost would be met. Meanwhile, we continue to have our neighbourhood patrol check the block every night. They will report anti-social behaviour and any crime to the police and move on rough sleepers should they find any.”

Insp Ian Hughes, from Essex Police, said: “We want people in Southend to feel safe wherever they are, especially in their own homes. We continue to work closely with our partners in South Essex Homes and Southend Council to tackle the concerns raised by residents in Barringtons. Regular patrols are conducted in this area using officers and volunteers.”