Flats residents 'trapped' by anti-social behaviour

Residents living in temporary council accommodation have described feeling "trapped" by anti-social behaviour from intruders in communal areas of their flats.

Needles and other drug-related paraphernalia, as well as used condoms, are frequently encountered, according to residents of Pendeen Court in Slough, Berkshire, who have also complained of verbal abuse from squatters.

Katrina who lives in a flat with her two-year-old son, said she had to check the block's washing machines for needles before using them.

Slough Borough Council said it was aware of the issues at Pendeen Court and was taking urgent action to tackle them.

Pendeen Court is a temporary accommodation unit with 29 flats and communal areas.

In 2016 residents living in the flats complained about conditions after finding blood on the floors and graffiti on walls.

Katrina, who did not want to give her full name, said she moved in to the flats in 2023, having been told it would take 10 to 15 years to be found a permanent home.

She said faulty door locks had led to intruders squatting in communal areas.

"There would be needles and alcohol cans [filled with urine] on the sink and the floor.

"The rough sleepers here they tend to have sex and they leave used condoms in the forge area, in washrooms, in the hallways.

"You can't wash your children's clothing in here because you have to check the washing machines don't have needles [inside].

"It makes me feel quite guilty to be honest. It's a mothers duty to protect your children no matter what and it is out of my control to provide a safe home," she said.

She said she had complained to the council but "nothing has still been dealt with".

"So now I want out of here - I don't want to call this place home," she added.

Another resident, Chelsie, who also did not want to give her full name, lives at the block with her two sons

She described feeling "trapped" in her flat to avoid "violent people that don't live here".

"On a few occasions [the squatters] have been verbally abusive towards me so I try to keep my distance."

"I don't like letting [the children] play outside.

"It has been over three stressful years of living here.

"I just want to have [a] home where you feel safe," she said.

Slough Borough Council said it was "liaising with the tenants directly, ensuring the entrance doors are secure".

It added it was "taking action against any tenants of the block who may be facilitating antisocial behaviour" and would undertake a "deep-clean".

The block was refurbished between 2018 and 2019, according to contractor R Benson who undertook the work on behalf of Slough Borough Council.

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