High-rise hell’s
Lockdown has seen increase in fires, assaults and drug use
Residents in Perth’s Pomarium Flats say they have been left “terrified” in their own homes because of deliberate fires, violent assaults, anti-social behaviour and brazen drug abuse.
Fearful citizens say they have witnessed thugs with weapons attempting to break into one of the blocks, a bin chute being set ablaze a number of times and yobs attempting to enter homes in broad daylight despite the coronavirus lockdown.
The flats have seen four fires in the past two weeks with emergency services attending the estate almost on a daily basis, according to one mum.
Another resident who spoke to the PA revealed they have even been threatened at knifepoint on their doorstep.
Alice Pearce is currently isolating in her flat with her partner Tim Dahm, who normally stays in another block, and said the shocking incidents have left them traumatised. The 32-year-old, who also has two children in her home, insisted the spate of crimes are escalating and that she and many others living in her area are pleading with the council to do more to protect them.
She said: “The first big fire was on December 22 last year. That was terrifying for everybody. Ever since then it has been a constant stream of fires.
“It has got a lot worse in the last two weeks as we have had four fires, all of which have been in the neighbouring block to us.
“It has been especially bad for my youngest who found the one at Christmas really traumatising and is reliving that every time there is an incident.
“There are also fires in the bin chutes of the building.
“The chute goes right up the building so the smoke can be felt on every level.
“At the minute it is nearly every single night that police or the fire brigade are here.
“There was an incident on Monday where a group of young men were here with weapons and knives trying to gain access to the next door block.
“I think they got in then tried to get into somebody’s door and the police were out again for that.
“There are so many occasions of people fighting in between the blocks and trying to gain access to start a fight.
“Someone in the next block was threatened at knifepoint during the day.
“If somebody is in the wrong place at the wrong time, it is only a matter of time before somebody is hurt.
“On April 9 there was a huge incident with over 10 emergency vehicles and riot police, fire and ambulance services. That went on from midnight until three or four in the morning.
“On April 21, there was a violent attack on a resident in the area between the two buildings and it spilled into the public foyer of the taller building.
“It is frightening.”
Alice said Perth and Kinross Council has enlisted a security patrol to operate in the area but feels they “are not really having an impact”.
“There has still been reports of violent incidents taking place while the security patrol is here – they don’t seem to take any action,” she said.
“We are very much under threat, particularly at a time when we are told to stay at home.
“I think the council needs to monitor more the people who it is putting in these blocks. Some joined-up working is needed between PKC and residents.
“I would say there is at least half a dozen I know in my block, and my partner knows of others in his block who feel the same way.
“There are a lot of elderly people who live here who are afraid to come out of their houses and that should not be the case.
“Some of them have been here when the flats were built so to not feel safe now is very sad.”
A 50-year-old resident who wished to remain anonymous said he was threatened at knifepoint.
“I was just coming out of the flat to go down the stairs to fix a bumper on my pal’s car,” he said.
“I had a cordless screwdriver in my hand and a screw and I was playing about with it and a guy says ‘where are you going with that’?
“I said ‘what’s it got to do with you?’ “He said something and then pulled the knife out on me. I walked away terrified and called the police.
“On Monday night a junkie tried to get into the flat because they thought someone else stayed here. My wife has found needles out on the landing.
“It is getting out of hand.
“Our fear is that some of the chutes don’t have a lid so if the chute is choked and the flames go up the chute, it is going to catch somebody’s door.
“I am at work every day and I worry that something will happen to my wife. My wife has asthma and if any smoke came in she would be gone.
“We are living in fear. It is getting worse and people are terrified.
“The council tell you they are doing this and that. I don’t think they are doing anything. It is going to be the case that something is going to happen to someone.
“We need the fire brigade to come and show us a drill with a dummy and say ‘if there is a fire this is how you come out the building’.
“We need more security or more CCTV or a fob for every resident so they know who is using the chute.”
Maria Hendry (22) lives in her flat with her two-year-old and one-year-old sons, the former of whom has been diagnosed with autism.
She told the PA she has known of drug abuse in the building.
She said: “I have lived here nearly three years and everybody here I know has been complaining. There are drug-takers in the elevators and I have people I don’t know coming to my door.
“Obviously with the emergency services and the police here all the