Residents 'under siege' at vandalised apartment block

Oxford City Council said it was examining options for a more secure front door for Pound House

Residents at a vandalised apartment block have said it remains "under siege" from intruders.

Pound House, above Templars Square shopping centre in Oxford, has been repeatedly broken into and been targeted by drug users.

A new, glass fronted security door has been seriously damaged just 10 days after being installed.

Oxford City Council said it was examining options for a more secure door.

The block of flats has been a target for various types of anti-social behaviour

Residents at Pound House have been "living in fear" due to a lack of security at the building which has they said had allowed rough sleepers and drug users to enter freely.

Oxford City Council installed a new security door in an attempt to stop the vandalism but tenant Elijah, who did not wish to give his full name, said it had only given them "a few days of peace".

"It's very, very disappointing and unfortunate to be quite honest," he said.

"The big, open glass invites people to come in.

"We're feeling under siege at the moment. It doesn't matter who it is. They just try to force themselves in."

Oxford City Council's Mish Tullar said the authority was "disappointed" by the vandalism.

"We reported it to the police, and the council' s own community response team which helps tackle antisocial behaviour is also aware," he said.

"The door will be repaired as soon as possible and we're examining the options for a more secure door, including potentially a steel one."

Thames Valley Police said: “We are working hard to address concerns around illegal drugs and anti-social behaviour in East Oxford, including Templars Square.

“We have increased patrols in the area to deter offenders and reassure the community.

“The more we know about the issues affecting the community, the more we can do to resolve them so people should please tell us about them, even if they don’t think it is a police issue."

Resident Elijah said he was feeling "heartbroken" after their newly installed security had been destroyed