MoD housing estate residents fear more break-ins

Pramila says she has not seen police patrols on her estate in the eight years she has lived there

People living on Ministry of Defence (MoD) housing estates have said they are living in fear in their homes following a spate of burglaries.

The two estates are on Beaconside, near MoD Stafford.

About 100 people attended a meeting on Wednesday to raise their concerns with the Army and police, citing a lack of security and easy access on to the estates.

The Army said it was aware of the situation and was working closely with the police to address it.

The housing estates are home to personnel at Beacon Barracks and their families

"We're vulnerable with children," said resident Pramila. "There are times when our husbands are away on active duty, and having a police or Army presence would really help."

She said she had not seen a police patrol in the area in the eight years she had lived there, and the estates needed CCTV.

Responsibility for security fell into a "grey area," she said, as both military personnel and civilians live there.

One resident who cannot be identified due to their job said there had been more than 25 burglaries in the last two months, and nothing seemed to be done about it.

"Nobody feels safe in their own homes," they said. "I was burgled in December and still we've not seen a police officer or given a statement."

Amber has lived on her estate for two years and says women living on their own are "petrified" they are going to be targeted

Resident Amber added: "There are a lot of women at home, on their own with young children who are absolutely petrified they are going to be targeted.

"If I wake up in the middle of the night and there's three masked men at the bottom of the stairs or in my garden, what do I do?"

She also said the question of whether the Army or police were responsible for their security was made more complex due to military personnel and civilians living side-by-side.

"I think there's accountability on both parts to keep us safe and protected, but who actually implements that is the question, and whether anything will actually happen or not."

A window was shattered during one break-in on the estate in December, and money stolen from the property

In a statement, an Army spokesperson said: “We are aware of the situation and have met with our families to hear their concerns."

"We are engaged closely with the local police who are working to address the situation and would ask any of our families to contact our welfare team for help and advice.”

Staffordshire Police said it was actively investigating all of the burglaries and had increased patrols in the area.

Local officers and Police Community Support Officer (PCSOs) were continuing to engage with people about concerns, the force added.