VANDALISM and yobbish behaviour are making life “torturous” for residents on a notorious Southend estate. 

Woodgrange Estate, also known as the Kursaal Estate, has long struggled with anti-social behaviour and crime.

The area has had a reputation for violence and problems since it was first built in the 1970s.

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One resident, who did not wish to be named, said he feared for his safety at times.

He said: “Every two to three months I get abused or attacked in the street.

“I only moved in a few years ago but already I want to get out as soon as possible, I would live anywhere apart from here.

“It’s torturous living here, I’ve had people knock on my door looking for drug dealers and there are yobs constantly roaming the streets.”

Estuary Housing, the association that owns and runs the blocks, employs private security to run night-time patrols of the estate.

A second resident insisted there were positives to living there, but admitted the bad outweighed the good.

She said: “There are many, many good people living here, really lovely people who feel like family.

“But some nights I do wish I could escape. We are often woken in the middle of the night by loud shouting and commotion from the courtyard.  

“Sometimes I worry about letting my kids out of sight.”

Kursaal ward, where the estate is located, is among the 20 per cent most deprived areas in the whole country, a council report revealed last year.

Councillor Matt Dent is working with Essex Police and residents to improve life on the estate.

He said: “We want people to feel safe where they live but sadly there are ongoing issues in the area with anti-social behaviour. With the size of the estate and it proximity to the seafront there is no easy fix.”

A Estuary Housing spokesman said: “We have measures in place to tackle anti-social behaviour at the Woodgrange Drive Estate and have taken steps to control this with our CCTV and night security guard patrols from 5pm-5am. 

“In addition to this, there are many ways of reporting unwanted conduct, including via our ‘Report It’ app, Facebook or phone call. We take resident concerns extremely seriously and investigate any reported incidents.”