Squatters still entering flat block, residents say

Squatters have still been able to break into a block of flats housing vulnerable young people after a council promised "urgent action", according to residents.

Slough Borough Council pledged to secure entrances to Pendeen Court, in Cippenham, after reports of intruders sleeping in the entrances and laundry rooms.

Four months later tenants have shown the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) several entrances were left unlocked, with dangerous rubbish left on the floor.

A council spokesperson said they were aware of the issues and had been "working extensively to improve conditions for the residents".

Pendeen Court is used as temporary accommodation for people who come to the council at risk of homelessness, many of who are young, single mothers.

The authority promised action in February after tenants revealed pictures of rough sleepers.

When LDRS visited the building in May, residents showed how people could walk into the court through an unlocked bin store and how the front security door could be easily forced open.

They reported mattresses being left lying by a children's playpark in the courtyard and in walkways.

One tenant said: "All the doors are unlocked. There's the junkies that come in.

"There's glass in the park that people have to pick up and there are always cigarette butts lying around."

Another resident said many living in the court "don't even want to come out of their flat".

She added: "They're too worried to come out - there could be anything."

A spokesperson for Slough Borough Council said bin stores were fitted with a combination padlock after the council promised action in February.

They said the padlock was found to be "no longer fastening securely" during an inspection on 20 May.

The spokesperson added it had been fixed and the main door was due to be inspected on 22 May, the same day LDRS visited the court and contacted the council.

"We are aware of the issues being reported by residents here and we remain committed to making Pendeen Court a comfortable and safe place to live," they said.

"We have been working extensively to improve conditions for the residents here and will continue to do so and they know our team by name and can raise issues directly."

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