Teenagers in an area of Essex are risking their safety by breaking into houses which were ruined after a serious fire. A row of homes in Pitsea have not been rebuilt since they were destroyed by the fire almost 2 years ago and are now attracting unwelcome attention from gangs of youths.

Recently teenagers have started climbing over security fencing to gain access to the site. The youths are starting fires and breaking into what is left of the homes and although there is still a landlord to the property the homes are no longer covered by buildings and contents insurance. Neighbours are worried that the teenagers may be seriously injured by playing on the scaffolding which surrounds the properties.

Dave Suggs, a resident who lives next door to the derelict site, said “You hear them most days, shouting and mucking about in there. They recently tried setting light to the fencing and succeeded in setting some bushes on fire. There’s nothing to stop them, because you never see any security guards around there anymore. We try our best to keep the area looking nice, but it’s a losing battle.”

The landlord, Swan Housing Association, has applied to bulldoze and rebuild the properties after ninety people had to be re-housed when the wood panelled homes were destroyed. The fire-damaged properties are secured by two-metre high fencing which has signs that warn of the dangers to intruders. Potimum Security also provide 24/7 security surveillance at the site and the firm has been advised of the increased number of youths at the site. They have assured both Swan Housing and the council that they will increase its visible patrols.

The site owners have been granted permission to build new modern properties which will be delivered by the developers in partnership with Swan Housing. The landlords are in the process of securing financial backing from the Homes and Communities Agency to help with the funding of the development.