Angry residents have accused Basildon Council of hindering chances of catching arsonists and vandals by not fixing a CCTV monitor - nine months after it was broken.
A mother-of-four, who did not wish to be named for fear of reprisals, said residents at Block B, Royal Court, Laindon were living in fear of youths congregating at the entrance to the flats. She said: "Graffiti, arson and vandalism, you name and it is happening here."
Sgt Mark Rayner, of Laindon police, said: "We have had a number of reports of antisocial behaviour at Royal Court and we have dedicated beat officers from the community policing team tackling issues in the area in and around Royal Court."
A council spokesman said: "It is essential that we have all the facilities to view them. We accept that the monitor has been broken for some time and it should be fixed in a week. A security tape would be held and if any incidents came to light they would be flagged up."
Published Tuesday July 13, 2004
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