Disabled man at the mercy of alley brats

28 July 2010

A DISABLED East Ham man who has severe arthritis says his life is being made hell by anti-social behaviour in the alleyway next to his home.

Mark Williams, 50, who lives in St Bernard's Avenue, says he has suffered constant problems from youths and fly-tipping in the alleyway that faces his back garden.

Mr Williams said: "I have been threatened to be stabbed and have my house burned down. It's absolutely intolerable."

Mr Williams, who lives alone and is confined to his home, added: "I don't feel safe. I can't go into my back garden. It's crazy."

He said that Newham Council had agreed to install a security gate at the entrance to the alleyway on the recommendation of London Fire Brigade and police to deter fly-tippers and youths congregating, but nothing had been done.

A spokesman for Newham Council said that plans to install a security gate had been dropped as it had been decided that this would only make matters worse by creating an enclosed area that would attract more fly-tipping and other illegal activities.

The spokesman said that the council was now planning a revamp of the area, including resurfacing the alleyway and installing safety mirrors to prevent illegal and anti-social behaviour.

She said there were further plans to introduce regular cleaning of the alley

Full story by Lee Peart in this week's Recorder