Hackney (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A Fellows Court tenant criticizes Hackney Council’s “unacceptable” security measures after a BMW parked outside the block had its windscreen smashed.
On suspicion of causing criminal damage, a 22-year-old woman was taken into custody following the incident in Weymouth Terrace, Hackney, early on Monday, May 26.
Police added that after hearing complaints of trash being thrown into automobiles, they were first called to the scene.
Tenant David Coleman of Fellows Court, a block in the street owned by Hackney Council, has recently told Hackney Gazette that anti-social activity is a persistent problem on the property.
He has also asserted that if security had been in place, the incident would not have occurred.
Since the office was inundated by a significant leak eighteen months ago, Fellows Court has been without a concierge.
“There have been parcels and bicycles stolen inside the block, even though the council say the CCTV is working,”
he explained.
“We are meant to have security patrols, but they are doing it at most maybe three times a day. It’s unacceptable.”
Among other incidents, an on-street bike hangar near Fellows Court was recently broken into.
According to Mr. Coleman, the council then attributed the unannounced removal of all the CCTV cameras in the block in April to contractor mistakes.
He claimed that even though they were replaced a week later, this had raised more questions about whether the block’s CCTV system was operating properly.
In order to assist stop any more thefts or instances of criminal damage, he has now urged Hackney Council to quickly restore a complete concierge service.
A council spokesperson said:
“We understand the concern this incident will have caused to Fellows Court residents, and as a criminal matter it is rightly being investigated by the police.
All CCTV at Fellows Court is in working order and footage is available to the police to support their investigations.”
They also stated that security guards are on patrol at Fellows Court nine times a day and that the local government is “in the process of confirming plans” for a new concierge service.
How did Hackney Council’s response to the tenant’s BMW damage issues fall short?
Unresolved safety and security issues were a result of the council’s inability to accurately evaluate and rank the dangers to renters and their property.
79% of complaints against Hackney Council, according to the Ombudsman, contained poor practices, with inadequate review and supervision of complaints resulting in unresolved or recurring problems.
Multiple visits and unsolved difficulties resulted from Hackney Council’s processes, which encouraged classifying repair jobs as complete even when issues lingered. This probably extended to managing tenant concerns regarding property damage.
Analogous examples revealed significant discomfort and annoyance due to protracted delays in resolving tenant complaints and repairs. Tenant discontent was increased by the council’s inadequate communication regarding the status of repairs and the progress of complaints.