DRUG addicts, human faeces, urine, and corridors overflowing with rubbish – the Echo lifts the lid on the '"living hell" inside of Southend’s most notorious tower blocks.
The 16-storey Pennine tower, one of four tower blocks on Southend's Queensway Estate built in the 60s, has long been plagued by anti-social behaviour and drug taking, residents have told the Echo.
Exclusive images from inside the dilapidated towering block reveal squalid conditions.
The hallways smell of urine, are littered with drug paraphernalia and even sometimes human faeces.
Residents say they fear leaving their homes as the hallways are overtaken by drug addicts taking crack cocaine and heroin.
Resident Jason Campbell said: “Life in here is a living hell.
“Some floors are no-go areas. There is widespread drug taking, sometimes groups of more than half-a-dozen people taking hard drugs, smoking, drinking.
“It’s really bad, the floors are smeared with rubbish and sometimes human poo.
“The lift has almost become a bin room, and there are always bags of rubbish in there.”
The 44-year-old has lived in the tower for 10 years; he says it is currently the worst he has ever known it to be.
“We have repeatedly told the council and South Essex Homes about these problems but we are ignored," he added.
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, said: “I’m genuinely scared for my safety at times here.
“Nobody should have to feel anxious or frightened about leaving their home, but that’s how it is.
“Even just going to the shops can be terrifying because there are people getting high in the halls all the time.”
The 48-year-old added: “It’s the drug taking out in the open that gets me the most.
“It's just so brazen, and then there are all these metal spoons and other drug left overs left lying around the next morning.”
Pennine tower is managed by Southend Council’s housing management firm South Essex Homes (SEH).
The firm’s bosses say they are aware of the issues and working to resolve them.
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