Council tenants whose homes are being blighted by drug-dealing and prostitution may finally see a concerted effort to clean up their estate, thanks to a special report by this paper.
Police, council workers and other specialists will begin work on the clean-up project at the Little Ilford estate next week.
The pledge came days after our exposé of conditions on the estate last week, featuring images of drug users slumped, unconscious, outside people’s homes.
Our shocking story prompted further coverage by the Daily Mirror, Daily Express, Daily Star, Daily Mail and the Metro.
Photos and videos captured at three tower blocks – Charlbury House, Willis House and Arthur Walls House – also showed discarded syringes and blood-soaked tissues.
Residents said it was not uncommon to find used condoms and human faeces in communal areas.
The Recorder discovered a discarded syringe and excrement during its own site visit.
Tenants, who face both council tax and rent hikes under Newham Council’s latest budget, complained that the problems had persisted for years despite constant complaints to the authorities.
"We pay our council tax but we’re not receiving a service," said one. "What does it take? Does someone have to get killed before anyone decides to do anything?”
Catch Up:
One man said he called the council’s antisocial behaviour (ASB) team, but hung up after the line rang for 90 minutes with no answer.
The latest budget will see further cuts to Newham’s ASB and community safety teams.
But residents have reported that incidents are being reacted to more swiftly since our report – and the council has announced a multi-agency inspection of the estate next week.
Participants will include the Metropolitan Police, the ASB team, the community safety team and agencies which work with drug addicts and sex workers.
After the walkabout, the groups will “redevelop a new action plan” for the estate, the council confirmed.
“We all have to thank you for this,” said Calvin Terry, one of the tenants we interviewed.
“It’s spurred these guys into action. How long it will last remains to be seen, but the main thing is we have an immediate reaction from them and that is an absolutely amazing result.
“We’ve got people coming over and speaking to all the residents – so it got the desired result. I can’t say thank you enough.”
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