Concerns over homeless unit

Nearby residents feel unsafe

Residents of a housing estate say they have been left feeling “uneasy and vulnerable” by issues at council homeless accommodation.

Now they have generated a 97-signature petition in a bid to persuade Stirling Council to establish security measures and staff supervision for the homeless flats in Middlemuir Road at Springkerse.

The residents and visitors claim there have been high levels of antisocial and criminal behaviour stemming from in and around the area of the block.

Security is currently provided by CCTV and by staff at Springkerse House through unplanned visits and via community patrols, but the petitioners say that’s no longer enough, despite council officials saying crime statistics don’t support their perception.

The block was first opened in November 2008, and two of the ground floor flats were used as office accommodation. The office was not open to the public and was staffed from Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm.

However, due to the shortage of temporary accommodation, the two offices were converted into selfcontained flats in 2010.

Locals say, while they accept that not all the crime figures within a 500 metre radius relate directly to the block of 15 flats, they feel they are still high given there are only three residential streets within the otherwise industrial area.

One resident, who did not want to be named for fear or reprisal, said: “A precentage of people who go through the homeless system via the designated homeless flats in Middlemuir Road have been known to have varying levels of anti-social and/or criminal behaviour.

“At times there can be several people within the block with all or some of said issues. This growing problem is seriously affecting tenants living within Middlemuir and Borrowlea Road.

“After considerable discussion with residents and their visitors, including relatives and friends, we decided to appeal Stirling Council for action.

“On-site security or supervision could reduce the high levels of anti-social and criminal behaviour. Residents and their visitors report that incidents occur mostly outside office hours. We who have signed the petition are very concerned. We are urging the council to reinstate the office and to provide onsite security and staff 24 hours a day.

“The general consensus is that residents feel uneasy and in a vulnerable position due to the problems with a percentage of homeless tenants. Despite copious emails to homeless staff and management and some to very senior staff, problematic tenants continue to reside in their tenancies.”

The petition is due before a meeting of the council’s environment and housing committee tomorrow (Thursday).

In a report council officials said the service had never existed previously, adding: “The perception of the petitioners is that on-site security/ supervision could reduce anti-social and criminal behaviour.

“Evidence from the council and Police Scotland indicates very low levels of this type of activity and very few complaints.

“Recent Police Scotland statistics from January 2015 to October 2016 show that police were called to Middlemuir Road to deal with eight reported disturbances and two public nuisance reports. Of these disturbances and public nuisance reports only three charges were made by the police. One person was charged for housebreaking and two individuals were charged for alcoholrelated disturbances. In addition, the Housing Service has received complaints from only two residents since the building at Middlemuir Road was opened in 2008.”