Residents of Gillett Road Tower Block Demand Action from Croydon Council as Drug Addicts and Violence Plague Building
Residents of the Gillett Road Tower Block in Thornton Heath, London, are pleading with Croydon Council to take immediate action as drug addicts and violent incidents continue to plague the building. The escalating problem has left residents terrified to leave their flats, with some even discovering a massive knife on the stairs. Concerned tenants are demanding better protection in their own homes from the local council.
The situation in the tower block has deteriorated significantly in recent months, leading to increased fear among families. In addition to the threat of violence, residents are regularly confronted with disgusting conditions, including human excrement, vomit, and blood in the stairwells and lifts.
One incident involving a resident named Mr. Williams, who prefers not to disclose his full name, highlights the severity of the situation. On May 14, Mr. Williams encountered a group of teenagers loitering in one of the block’s laundry rooms. Having previously experienced their disruptive behavior, he asked them to leave. Unfortunately, this simple request quickly escalated into a brutal attack. Mr. Williams was beaten, stomped on, and suffered injuries to his arm, head, wrist, and hip.
Feeling unsafe in his own home, Mr. Williams reached out to his Croydon Council tenancy officer in February and again in January, expressing his concerns. Regrettably, he received no response or assistance, leading to the unfortunate incident. The lack of action and support from the council has left him feeling angry and disregarded. He firmly believes that if the block were located in a more affluent area, prompt and efficient action would have been taken.
Echoing Mr. Williams’ sentiments, other residents claim that although Croydon Council repaired a faulty front door, the back door remains easily accessible, allowing drug addicts and dealers to loiter in the stairwells every evening. Serena Blackman, who has resided in the block for five years with her young son, describes the constant terror she endures. Alongside the presence of knives in the stairwells and disturbing instances of blood and human waste, residents frequently face disrupted elevator service, forcing them to use the stairs. These conditions have created an atmosphere of fear and vulnerability, which is exacerbated by the arrival of new neighbors involved in drug-related activities.
Expressing her concerns, an anonymous resident, who has lived in the block for a year, questions the council’s decision to place vulnerable drug addicts in the building. She emphasizes that while a few individuals have been evicted, the problem remains unresolved. Her specific concern lies in the fact that placing drug addicts in the tower block is fundamentally wrong and fails both the existing tenants and the addicts themselves.
In response to the assault on Mr. Williams, the local police have increased patrols in the area. However, investigations into the incident are still ongoing. Safer neighbor officers are fully aware of the ongoing issues and are closely monitoring the situation while implementing additional local patrols.
Despite attempts to contact Croydon Council for a comment, they have yet to respond to the residents’ pleas for action. The residents are left anxiously waiting for a solution to the pressing problems they face daily in the Gillett Road Tower Block. It is essential that Croydon Council addresses the mounting concerns, ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents in their own homes.
