TERRIFIED residents are being forced to take drastic measures, such as blocking their letterboxes with screwdrivers, to protect their properties from arsonists.
People living on the Ings Road Estate are taking action after arson attacks almost doubled in the first three months of this year, compared with 2010.
The estate has been left with half its homes boarded up after the Government abandoned regeneration plans in November.
Now, people living there say lives are being put at risk after arson attacks increased from nine in the first three months of last year to 16 since the start of this year.
Linda Emmerson, of the estate's Surbiton Close is taking no chances.
She said: "Arson attacks are a big problem. We even block the letterbox at night with a screwdriver so no one can put something through it.
"I was brought up here and my kids were brought up here, but my grandchildren are prisoners.
"They cannot go out and play. It's too dangerous."
As well as the increased arson attacks, residents say they have suffered problems with vandalism, burglaries, fly-tipping and vermin.
Mrs Emmerson's mum Jinny Webster, 81, who also lives on the estate, said: "I am living in fear all the time now. I cannot leave the house after dark and I have to go to my daughter's quite often.
"Empty homes being set alight is particularly unnerving."
The area remains in limbo while the council tries to find funding and a new developer to take forward the regeneration plans.
Trevor Branton, who has lived on the estate for decades, said: "Some of the empty properties targeted by arsonists have been pulled down.
"But what frightens us is that they will now move farther into the estate, where empty homes are mixed in with occupied ones.
"We fear they will make a mistake that could end up with loss of life.
"These homes are made of timber and go up like matchwood. They go up in seconds and spread very quickly."
Humberside Fire And Rescue Service is now working with Humberside Police and Hull City Council to keep the residents safe.
Pete Baron, of the fire service, said they were also carrying out community safety work showing how people can protect themselves.
He said: "Vacant properties will always be a target, but we continue to work with communities to reduce instances of arson. We would warn arsonists that while crews are attending small deliberate fires, they are not immediately available to attend life-threatening incidents in other areas of the city.
"Also, a small fire can quickly develop into a large fire, which could result in fatal consequences."
The council has already demolished some of the empty properties in Battersea Close, which were the target of arson attacks last month.
Properties in areas such as Hammersmith and Finchley Close will be demolished in the next few months.
Inspector Bill Grieve, of the East and Park Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "We have been working closely with Humberside Fire And Rescue Service, Hull City Council and other local partner agencies after a number of arson attacks on the Ings Estate.
"Properties in the Battersea Close area, where fires have been reported, have been demolished.
"We have increased our patrols in the regeneration area to deter any further incidents and have made a number of arrests linked to people stealing from empty properties."
 |  |
Higher education Arsenal Cultural trips Rugby union World Cup 2022 Newspapers
No comments:
Post a Comment