Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Flat attack raises safety issues
Residents of a sheltered housing complex in Canterbury have raised fears about their safety after a bloodied man was found trying to smash his way into one of the flats with a fire extinguisher.
Police were called to Hanscomb House off Forty Acres Road earlier this month by a resident disturbed by the man’s behaviour in a communal corridor.
John O’donnell says security is inadequate to prevent undesirable people getting into the 33-flat building.
“I came out of my room to find this man trying to smash his way into one of the flats,” the 64-yearold psychotherapist said.
“He had been in there earlier, I believe, and when I came out he was covered in blood.
“He was really smashing against the door with this fire extinguisher.”
Mr O’donnell confronted the man before ordering him to leave. He phoned police shortly after the incident during the early hours of Monday, March 7.
Blood was smeared on the front door of the flat which the man had been trying to get into.
Police confirmed they had been called to Hanscomb House, but had not made any arrests and are continuing to investigate.
A meeting of worried residents has taken place since the incident.
Speaking afterwards, Mr O’donnell said: “There are a lot of very old and vulnerable people in here, including a lady who is 98.
“The purpose of the meeting was to indicate the level of distress suffered as a result of what happened last weekend.
“This has occurred on previous weekends and has been causing much anxiety.
“I’m not convinced enough is being done to protect the people who live here and I feel it’s my obligation to raise this publicly.”
Built in 1981, Hanscomb House is run by Sanctuary Housing, which manages 100,000 units across the country.
Spokesman Amy Weiser said: “We want to reassure residents we are working closely with the local authorities, as well as doing all we can to support the police in their investigations.
“However, it is important to remember this is a retirement scheme for those who wish to live independently, and as such we are limited in our ability to supervise residents or their visitors.
“Anyone with concerns is encouraged to call the police immediately, and residents are also reminded that our staff can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through the pull cord alarm systems at the scheme.”
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