We live in ‘UK’s worst estate’ – drug addicts and criminals terrorise us… we feel trapped in our own homes
LONG-suffering residents say they're living on the UK's "worst" estate surrounded by drug addicts and criminals - but they're refusing to move out.
People living on Grahame Park Estate in North London say they've been living in nightmare conditions for decades.
Grahame Park, located in Barnet, is the area's largest housing development.
It was built in 1970s to offer "affordable and high-quality living".
However, with more than 150 arrests being carried out in just two months recently, life on the estate is anything but "high quality";.
Neighbour Georgina, who has lived in the estate for more than two decades, feels "trapped" in her own house and is said to have seen it all.
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The 55-year-old said: "It's rough in this estate. There’s drugs and alcoholism. Everything is here.
"You don’t even have to leave your home, you can get it delivered."
The mum-of-two, who struggles with anxiety and asthma, claimed to be too scared to go out.
"My anxiety has been getting worse with the years. I spend all my time crying about it.
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"I basically feel like I have been locked up for years," she said.
'NO GO' ZONE
A few steps away, the block of apartments at the centre of the estate is considered by locals to be a hotspot for drugs and criminal activities.
Frightened neighbours said the area is a "no-go" zone and they're scared to even walk down the street.
Resident Leila Siringeul, 44, decided to put up surveillance cameras after addicts used her front door as a meeting point to do drugs.
She said: “At midnight we have people sitting right in front of our doors smoking, drinking and making noises.
“And a month ago I had to call the police because a woman slept in front of our door. I wish I could move somewhere else."
Her son, Yohan Siringeul, 20, added: “There are a lot of crackheads. Next to the blocks there’s always people causing trouble."
On the other side of the estate lives Victoria Riche, 34, with her baby daughter.
The devastated mum said her life has been made a hell and she is scared for her daughter's safety.
She said: “The drug dealers are ruining our area. Last time my daughter was playing in my back garden and she nearly fell on top of a needle."
LEFT TO ROT
Earlier this year Barnet council approved plans to build more than 300 homes in the area as part of their development program.
But locals feel they have been "left to rot" by the council.
One resident said: "They’ve sent letters to everyone saying the whole estate is being rebuilt but they haven’t told us where we’ll be moving to.
"I don’t even know where I’m going to go. We've been left to rot here."
Despite the troubles, some loyal Grahame Park residents want to stay.
Former post officer Brian Hendon, 82, said he is not going anywhere and he loves living in the estate.
Brian explained: “I transformed the property with my own money. There were holes in the wall and mould, I fitted all the carpets and painted walls.
"I love my house. I'm not moving anywhere. This area is all I know."
Local councillor Barry Rawlings said: "Blocks are being fitted with new secure door entry systems and extensive CCTV is being installed.
"We’re investing £32m into improvement works in homes in Grahame Park, providing new kitchens, bathrooms, windows and doors, and significant fire safety works in public areas.
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"We’re also investing £2 million to tackle damp and mould in social housing across the borough of Barnet including Grahame Park.
“We know, however, there is still some way to go. That is why making sure that Grahame Park’s residents can enjoy the safe, clean, happy estate they deserve is a priority for us and we will continue to drive change until the job is done.”
Cops made 160 arrests in just two months
North West London Police made 160 arrests in only two months in Grahame Park Estate.
Dozens of people from the large housing estate in Barnet were held on suspicion of serious offences.
Police said the offences included:
- 34 ‘higher harm offences’ such as murder, rape or GBH.
- 58 drug supply, 36 of which related to Class A drugs.
- 23 weapons offences, including knives and firearms