TERRIFIED residents claim communal bin areas on a housing estate have become no-go zones due to the number of drug users and homeless people breaking in.
Residents at Underwood Court and Hammond Court on Sutton Road, Southend, are calling for Estuary Housing – the firm which manages the blocks – to beef up security and improve cleaning services to tackle the ossue.
Alice Murphy, 24, of Underwood Court, says she is now frightened to take her bins down on her own after a couple of close scrapes with drug users.
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“I have gone down late at night once and found somebody sleeping in there,” she said.
“On other times I have seen several drug users.
"My partners once asked them to leave and they got aggressive with him.
"We are scared for our safety.
“They have pulled rubbish out of bags, ripped bags open and have even left needles in there.”
Ms Murphy, who has lived in the block for more than three years, added: “It is becoming unsafe to live here as the drug users are breaking into the bin room by breaking the locks.”
A resident of Hammond Court, which sits next to Underwood Court, said the issue has been worsening in recent months.
“I don’t like going down there on my own anymore,” they said.
“I literally wait for my partner to get home so we can do it together because I am frightened of who or what might be waiting for me in there.”
Ms Murphy says the issue has led to rubbish from broken bin bags building up in the communal bin rooms.
“The area is full of maggots, flies and filth and it is impossible to walk in there to put rubbish in the bins where it belongs,” she said.
An Estuary Housing spokesman said: “Our cleaning teams attend every Friday to clear fly-tipping and clean the refuse area.
“A deep clean was carried out in April, including jet washing.
"Regular inspections take place and before and after photographs are taken.
"Residents should report any issues to our Customer Ambassador Team so we can investigate and take action.”
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