Cranham Court could be 'gated' at night to protect residents

Fed-up residents at Cranham Court in Warndon, Worcester, say their quality of life is suffering as louts lob bottles and cans onto their property while 'intruders' smoke weed and defecate in their communal garden.

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Tenants have even reported seeing an amorous couple, who they insist are non-residents, having sex around the back of the flats over the summer in a spot residents are now calling 'canoodle corner'.

COUPLE: One resident described a couple 'having sex' in what they call 'canoodle corner' (Image: COUPLE: One resident described a couple 'having sex' in what they call 'canoodle corner')

Shocked residents said the couple did not stop even when they were spotted.

In another instance, men were said to be smoking cannabis on the picnic bench in their communal garden.

They also say they regularly see people climbing on the roof at the Oasis Academy in nearby Edgeworth Close.

Steps being proposed include gating off the flats at night and even closing the alleyway at the back of the block at night.

GATED: Some residents have called for Cranham Court to be gated off at night (Image: GATED: Some residents have called for Cranham Court to be gated off at night)

Residents Pam Key, 58, her husband Graham Key, 71, Lyn Gleeson, 54, and Lorraine Butler, 64, have also complained about people kicking the fence near the alleyway at the back of Cranham Court.

The old fence had been smashed down by vandals but has been replaced by Platform Housing with a new, sturdier wooden one.

However, tenants maintain the fence is still being kicked by youngsters walking along the alley which is causing a disturbance.

Now they want a concrete fence instead.

In a letter, sent to Platform, Cllr Desayrah wrote: "It was obvious that the residents of Cranham Court have been/are being subjected to serial episodes of antisocial behaviour and criminal damage around their homes.

"The resulting injury to their quality of life and mental wellbeing warrants treating the situation with both urgency and resolve."

Between them, they have suggested a number of actions including 'securing the boundaries of Cranham Court' by adding an additional entry gate so that it is entirely protected by a key fob entry system.

Cllr Jill Desayrah, who has been in meetings with residents and keeps in touch with them on WhatsApp, says she has raised various issues at Cranham Court with West Mercia Police, Worcester City Council and Platform Housing which manages the flats.

The Warndon councillor emailed Platform Housing in July about some of the complaints following a meeting on June 22, including a complaint about 'human fouling and copulation in shared outside spaces'.

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said, as far as he was aware, the couple having sex had not been reported at the police post in Cranham Drive.

However, he said officers were 'aware of the issues' including people kicking the fence.

"We are aware of the issues and we are in talks with residents and with Platform Housing and are monitoring the situation," he said.