Get it Sorted: Safety fear over door

3:40pm Tuesday 19th August 2008

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A YOUNG mum has said she fears for her safety due to the entrance to the block of flats where she lives being permanently open.

Twenty-year-old, Kerry Yates, has complained to the council on numerous occasions about the back door of the building on Allington Road in Penhill.

The door does not close properly and leaves the property open for anyone to enter.

Kerry, who has a 10-week-old baby, said she is fed up with finding strangers in the building when she comes home.

She said: "There are kids in these flats and it's not right that it isn't secure.

"I've contacted the council seven or eight times and they always say they're going to do something about it but they never do.

"Last week some council workmen came round and we all assumed they must be fixing the problem.

"But all they did was fit a new handle. The door is still open to anyone.

"I've found needles and all sorts of drug stuff on the floor ­ it¹s not right."

In yesterday's paper we reported how Dave Collier was assaulted by youths who had gained entry to the Milverton Court block of flats in Park North.

Mr Collier had complained several times over an 18-month period that the door entry system was permanently on trade, allowing anyone access, and the story had even been featured in a previous Adver article.

A spokeswoman for Swindon Council said: "We sympathise with residents of Allington Road and share their frustration with the situation, which is unfortunately the result of repeated vandalism.

"The back door lock has been fixed on numerous occasions, including on Friday, August 15, only for it to be broken by people forcing their entry.

"Kerry Yates can be assured that we are responding to her calls highlighting the problem - maintenance staff fixed the door again on Monday, August 18.

We are also looking into replacing the lock with a more robust alternative.

"With reference to reports of drug taking, we will inform the police and work with them, if necessary, to help resolve the problem."