Security for ground floor flat?

dekaspace

I live in social housing, a ground floor flat and one of my neighbours is a well known to Police and council substance abuser and has groups of men back if you know what I mean, her guests have a habit of ringing buzzers at all hours, thumping windows and doors and making threats if they don't get in they will kick the doors in, another neighbour has had the friends of the tenant try and break in for theft and they often empty their bodily functions in the communal areas.

Im worried that one day they may try and break in so whats a good security measure? Maybe even something like a cheap alarm that sounds when a window is opened?

edrushuk

Personally I would try and move (do a swap) as there is little you can do when dealing with people who are going to thump at the door until you let them in. Especially using the communal area as a toilet. On a more practical tip, iron gates at the door and windows always look like a good idea, I am not sure whether an alarm would really bother them. Hope you find an outcome.

MEM62

dekaspace wrote: »

Maybe even something like a cheap alarm that sounds when a window is opened?

An alarm does not give you any security - it just makes a noise. And from the picture you paint of your neighbours associates I am sure that an alarm will not deter them from their activities.

You need to work with the Council and your local neighbourhood Policing teams to address this issue.

Soundgirlrocks

Who is the landlord of the property next door? If moving isn't an option then you need to look a getting the problem moved on. A landlord can evict on section 8 for anti social behaviour but they will need evidence, so start call the non emergency police number to report any illegal activity, complain to the council and keep a diary. The landlord will probably be in breach of their head lease for allowing such behaviour so its in their interest to evict. If its the local authority they still have a responsibility to other residents.

In terms off security a dog is a good option!

cattie

You'd probably find it hard to get rehoused or even be able to do a homeswap by what you've described.

You can get window alarms but I'm usure of how effective they'd be. They are battery operated so are a low cost way of trying to add a bit of extra security.

There is something called a kickstop to have fitted by your front door, & this is a metal strip that reduces the possibility of your front door being kicked open. If your council has something like a safer neighbourhood scheme you might be able to get them out to fit one & to give you other ideas to help you feel more secure.

The ground floor flat I own is thankfully on an extremely nice, safe & sought after developement & ground floor flats were fitted with ornate security doors to balconys when originally built. Perhaps this is something you could consider for your front door? I'd image these cost around £400-£500, probably less if you don't live in the SE.

I had a retractable security gate fitted to my bedroom window to enable me to leave the windows open during the warm nights without worrying about the possibility of intruders. The type of thing many gp surgeries have fitted on their windows. These are much more costly though.

PurAsc

I think it's a good idea to talk to your landlord about the situation, as I'm sure they wouldn't want you to leave.
Also, if you Google the name of your local authority along with 'report anti social behaviour' you may be able to report it online.
If it continues I suggest looking up 'Community Trigger'.
Good luck, I hope this helps.

bouicca21

I’ve been burgled and on another occasion had my house damaged by someone high on drugs. Both times in a supposedly nice safe neighbourhood.

I’ve had a burglar alarm ever since. Fine for making a noise and deterring the impulsive chancer, probably not so good for the druggie. You can get a more expensive type of alarm that alerts the police. But tbh your case seems more like a cctv evidence gathering exercise is needed.

eamon

Anti social behaviour is a real and expensive problem for social landlords to address and they can't do much unless the good tenants help out.


Find out who your housing officer is, arrange a meeting and let out all your fears (write everything down before hand so as you don't forget) and what you want to happen. Push for monitored concealed and overt cameras (must have voice recording) in the communal areas If you have good/nice neighbours try and get them involved as well. You will probably be asked to keep diaries of future events. This creates evidence that can be used in the courts if it goes that far.

Do the entrance doors work as intended e.g. key fob, unique key? If the doors aren't working then it needs to be reported to the repairs service, never assume that somebody else has bothered, so do it yourself and ask for timescales, in short make a nuisance of yourself.



Should you not get any satisfaction then getting you local councillor involved could be useful. You do have a right to the quiet enjoyment of your home.

dekaspace

Its all council flats in my block, the tenant claims mental health discrimination when police or council contacts her its Scotland by the way, I have reported many times to council who says they are creating logs and have been to visit her but she is abusive to them, she also ignores the voluntary appointments at housing office.

Her and her friends jam the doors open or damage the hinges, the anti social team says if we can use our own cameras and catch the suspects in the act things can be taken further but they can't do this themselves.

The reason for the cheap battery alarms is lets say I am in living room and dozing, or in bed and they try and break in it will go off and alert me. right now I have put up nets because in the past I used to find them peering through windows to see if I was in and if they saw me shout and demand I let them in.

Fire_Fox

Are you reporting these events to the local police and the council in writing (letter or e-mail)? If so you should continue logging and reporting every event however frustrating that seems.

You might consider contacting your Ward Councillors. The log of your reports will be invaluable to them in escalating the case, involving other council departments or involving other agencies (eg. NHS community mental health/ antisocial behaviour unit/ Environmental Health re: noise).

JennyJukes

dekaspace wrote: »

Its all council flats in my block, the tenant claims mental health discrimination when police or council contacts her its Scotland by the way, I have reported many times to council who says they are creating logs and have been to visit her but she is abusive to them, she also ignores the voluntary appointments at housing office.

Her and her friends jam the doors open or damage the hinges, the anti social team says if we can use our own cameras and catch the suspects in the act things can be taken further but they can't do this themselves.

The reason for the cheap battery alarms is lets say I am in living room and dozing, or in bed and they try and break in it will go off and alert me. right now I have put up nets because in the past I used to find them peering through windows to see if I was in and if they saw me shout and demand I let them in.

I'm also in social housing in Scotland. In a very notoriously anti-social area.
Here we have several home safety visits. For vulnerable adults. Elderly. Children etc. I got mine because I fled domestic abuse. Someone came out and checked my doors and windows were secure, showed me my exit points. They also arranged for someone to come out and fit blockers on my letterbox (so I can stop things getting in), a door stopper bar so if someone tried to get in from outside the door wouldn't open and a chain on my door for extra security. I wonder if this is available in your area for your security? It's the only thing that lets me sleep at night.