Tenants call for end to anti-social behaviour

Residents at Theobald House in Brighton are frustrated with alleged drug dealing and anti-social behaviour

People living in a Brighton tower block have called on the council to tackle alleged drug dealing in the building.

Residents’ association chair Georgina Parke described Theobald House, in Blackman Street, as “the city pharmacy”.

She also said Brighton & Hove City Council was failing to carry out repairs despite repeated requests.

Councillors have approved a budget of £5m for “major works” at the 18-storey block, due to start next month.

'Drug dealing'

Ms Parke called for better security at the flats when she spoke at the council’s housing and new homes committee.

“We’re the city pharmacy. We’ve got kids. Many families now are stepping over people doing drugs,” said Ms Parke.

She asked what it would take to have a full time door concierge and a building manager, before criticising how the council managed requests for repairs.

“If you report a repair and it doesn’t get done in a certain time, it’s deleted off the system,” she said.

“I’ve put in at least three or four repairs and the last time I phoned to check... they’d been removed.”

'Major investment'

Ms Parke said there were pigeons living in the roof and inside the tower block.

She also asked for an updated tenants handbook with details on fire safety after a blaze in a fourth-floor flat on 18 February.

Labour councillor Gill Williams, chair of the housing and new homes committee, offered to “look into the repair issue personally” as did the council’s assistant director for housing, Martin Reid.

“We will be investing significantly in Theobald House over the next two years,” Ms Williams said.

“I am aware of what has happened with the fire and how this has significantly impacted on residents, and how frightened they must have been at this time," she added.

A further £2.45m for Theobald House has been provisionally allocated for the 2025-26 financial year.

Mr Reid said a residents’ meeting was due to take place next week with officers from the housing department and representatives from East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.