Residents of Seabrook Estate tower block flats in Thurrock are fearful after a man was killed in an incident blamed on what residents say is criminals using scaffolding, left in situ for months, to gain access. Lone parent, Leonie Ward, said she felt vulnerable after a neighbour spotted someone trying to gain access through a window. She said that since scaffolding had been erected, children using it as a climbing frame had morphed into people trying windows as high up as the sixth and seventh floors. Father-of-three, Robert Gordon, said scaffolding was like a “ladder for cat burglars”. Labour councillor for the estate, Martin Kerrin, said the work programme should have taken 18 months but has gone on too long and residents no longer feel safe.
Essex Police says the tower block residents are not alone in facing such threats, as Christmas presents pile up in homes in the area, with criminals expected to exploit the season. The Force has been raising awareness of crime prevention in the run-up to Christmas, with Superintendent Craig Saunders reminding residents to lock doors and windows and keep valuables out of sight of prying eyes.
Axis, the contractor, said the site was secure and subject to weekly inspections. The firm continued working primarily on roofing during the past six months, also using the scaffolding to provide safe access for external areas still being worked on. A spokesperson argued that residents were encouraged to voice any concerns to the on-site liaison team and resident surgeries, including any relating to the scaffold, and that an additional scaffold inspection would be carried out if that was the nature of the concern.
Andrew Jeffries, Conservative leader of Thurrock Council, apologised to residents and promised council officers would take another look at what can be done to repair their safety concerns. He said he hoped the window replacement work would resume within the next few months
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