Tower of terror (From Free Press Series)

Tower of terror

RESIDENTS of a Pontnewynydd tower block have demanded action from Torfaen Council and the police to combat growing anti-social behaviour problems.

People housed in Fairview Court, Pontnewynydd, say they are living in fear after a catalogue of incidents at the premises.

Around 20 residents met with Cllr Gwyneira Clark, executive member for housing and community safety, Cllr Ivor Davies, the local ward member, and council tenancy enforcement officers to raise their concerns.

The locals, who do not wish to be named for fear of retribution, described how:

A five-kg weight was thrown through an upper floor window directly in front of the building's main entrance

People have been seen dangling others outside of windows

Cars have been frequently damaged

Fights break out in the building

Youths have been congregating and drinking in the building's reception area

The fire brigade is repeatedly called out for false alarms.

One resident said: "I am too scared to go downstairs in the evenings and since the weight was thrown through the window you need to look up to see if there are any missiles flying down as you walk through your own front door."

Another recounted how they watched from their window as a young man danced on the roof of a resident's car before smashing the windscreen and running off.

The residents, many of whom have lived at Fairview Court for years, said problems had become worse after the council lowered the age of tenants from 35 to 25.

They also complained that since the demise of the live-in caretaker there is not always someone on duty to report problems too.

"Skeleton key fobs, which give people access to all floors, have gone missing and are being misused, complaints are not always logged and communal areas in the building are not kept clean, the lifts often smell of vomit and urine."

One gentleman said: "We are repeatedly disturbed by incidents throughout the night and still have to get up for work in the morning. This is a high rise site, what we would like to see is a zero tolerance on tenants who cause trouble, we are fed up of complaining."

Council officials assured the meeting investigations were underway into the problems and they have already reinstated the upper age limit for tenants.

Cllr Clark said she was shocked and appalled by what see heard, but was keen not to discriminate against younger residents. "This is not acceptable and it's unacceptable that we as a council have put you in this position. If you have got major problems you need the age restriction but we must be careful not to discriminate against younger tenants, everybody needs a home.

"I am very concerned about what I have heard. Some of the issues you raised will be dealt with as a matter of urgency. If there are any further incidents please tell us and we will deal with them."

Cllr Clark said she hoped some residents would be willing to attend future tenant compact focus meetings and added another meeting should take place in a month's time to see how matters have progressed.