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Mum says she is too scared to live in own home

From the Bridgwater Mercury, first published Saturday 1st Sep 2007.

A TERRIFIED Bridgwater mum says she is too scared to live in her own home after anti-social behaviour problems in her neighbourhood.

Emma Riddle, 26, claims the problem is so bad around Bloom Row she does not feel the area is safe for her and her two-year-old daughter to stay in.

She told the Mercury she felt like her housing association, Sanctuary Shaftesbury, was letting her family down.

"There is a lot of anti-social behaviour going on, parties, a lot of cars coming around speeding and a lot of noise and things like that," she said.

"We have been getting threats and things like that. Me and my daughter don't feel safe where we live.

"It's just becoming a sick joke. We do feel let down by Sanctuary, I have had to get my doctor to write a letter to them because of stress."

The family say the problems are so bad they have a requested a transfer from their current home and Sanctuary Shaftesbury confirmed their application was being processed.

Assistant manager for estate services Janet Swales confirmed she had been told about problems in the area.

"We are aware of certain recent incidents at Bloom Row, which have been reported to our staff and are currently being investigated thoroughly," she said.

"Sanctuary Shaftesbury does not tolerate anti-social behaviour in any form and our local tenancy enforcement officer and service delivery officer visited residents at Bloom Row last week (August 22) to discuss any concerns they might have.

"We are currently looking at ways to work with the police and other agencies with the aim of restoring harmony to the area."

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