The lives of several residents residing in the three tower block flats of Seabrook Estate in Thurrock have been plunged into fear and vulnerability due to a scaffolding dispute between Thurrock Council and its contractor, Axis. The long-standing scaffolding has been used by criminals to access the tower block flats, causing residents to feel unsafe and trapped.
Leonie Ward, a lone parent, was awakened by a neighbour who saw someone in dark clothing attempting to pry open her window from outside the flat. The intruder had used the scaffolding to reach her flat, and this incident has left her feeling vulnerable and scared in her own home.
Residents have reported seeing people attempting to open windows of flats as high up as the sixth and seventh floors. The scaffolding, initially used by children as a makeshift climbing frame, has now become a tool for criminals to find unlocked windows, according to the residents.
A recent incident resulted in a man’s death, and residents believe it involved a group of people climbing the scaffolding to reach a flat. Essex Police are treating this case as a suspected murder and have currently placed three men and a woman on police bail while they continue their investigations.
Father-of-three Robert Gordon claims that the scaffolding became an issue when the refurbishment work came to a halt. He equates the scaffolding to ladders for cat burglars and is worried about what happens at night. He has urged the council to remove the scaffolding as quickly as possible.
Among those living in the Seabrook Estate are lone mothers in shared accommodation. One such mother, Bailey (pseudonym), has also experienced a similar incident where an intruder attempted to open her locked windows. She claims the intruder returned later and attempted the same on the floor above hers.
Essex Police, however, stated that they were not aware of the scaffolding being used to commit crimes. The four people arrested in connection with the suspected murder on 6 October have been released on police bail until 27 December.
Andrew Jeffries, leader of the Conservative-run Thurrock Council, stated that the scaffolding was in place due to various works being carried out on the building. He expressed regret over residents not feeling secure and promised to look into the matter.
Labour councillor for the estate, Martin Kerrin, claims the programme that should have taken 18 months has been dragged out and the prolonged presence of the scaffolding has resulted in anti-social behaviour, leaving the residents feeling unsafe in their homes.
Axis, the contractor, assures that the site is secure and is subject to weekly inspections. They encourage residents to voice any concerns and claim to take resident feedback seriously. The company states that the scaffolding remains in place to provide safe access to the external areas of the building that are still being worked on and to allow the maintenance programme to progress across various blocks.
