A West Lothian man says he's terrified he could possibly be caught in a significant fireplace in his own residence as a gang of youths wreak havoc in his shut.
The constructing, on Whitedalehead Street in Whitburn, has allegedly develop into a magnet for drug misuse, delinquent behaviour and wilful fire-raising, with door handles snapped off and the entrance door "kicked in."
The resident's sister, who doesn't want to be named, says she has made a number of makes an attempt to get her sibling re-located, with the state of affairs having grown so unhealthy that he refuses to let his youngsters go to for their very own security, reviews EdinburghLive.
She added that he fears being caught up in a significant incident on the block of flats and is affected by poor psychological well being because of this, which means he's additionally unable to work. The household declare Police Scotland is just not doing sufficient to make sure the wellbeing of locals.
West Lothian Council, which owns the constructing, has additionally been contacted by the lady, however efforts to get her brother state of affairs resolved have so far been unsuccessful.
She stated: "It is a shame. He is trapped in that constructing and there is going to be a significant fireplace quickly as the children have burnt the windowsills, burnt the handles off the home windows and burnt their initials into the ceiling of the constructing.
"My wee brother has no technique of getting out if there's a fireplace, there isn't any fireplace exit or something. There was as soon as a safe entry system on the predominant door however the entire door was kicked in and all of the council did was board it up, however they will simply preserve coming again.
"He has lived there about two years and this all began a yr in the past, it isn't a pleasant place as a result of there's lots of drug involvement and there have been drug deaths linked to the constructing prior to now, he ought to by no means have been put there.
"He is bought sufficient factors to get a home from the council however they are not . He was supplied a transfer three months in the past nevertheless it was in one other troublesome space.
"There's three empty blocks right here in Armadale and he could possibly be down right here beside his household. My brother could be very clear and has OCD, however for him to stay like that's disgusting.
"There's terrible smells coming into the flat from the corridor, they're urinating within the stairwell and he cannot even hear his TV at night time because of the noise.
"The police will not even attend the flat now, they got here to the automotive park, then did a U-turn and drove away. I cellphone the council each week and no person ever telephones me again, I am unable to stress how anxious I'm."
The girl says the youths don't stay within the block however simply congregate there to create havoc. They're supposedly aged between 15-20.
She added her brother has had a number of run-ins with the group asking them to depart however has been frightened because of the uncertainty over what they may do.
A neighbour has additionally moved out of the block after reportedly having their home windows smashed. She added: "In the event you take them on then you definately'll get damage, which is incorrect.
"You need to have the police and council's backing as that is what they're there for however no person does something. He has younger youngsters however it's not protected to take them there.
"I went to go to him a number of weeks in the past and I really slipped on the steps as they have been lined in urine. When he moved into the block he did not realise what he was getting himself into.
"The group stand and giggle on the police coming then driving away. They have full management and it isn't proper."
Inspector Brendan Mcmahon stated: "On Saturday, 17 September, 2022, we have been made conscious of youths congregating within the Whitedalehead Street space of Bathgate, nonetheless on arrival that they had dispersed.
"We are going to proceed to deal proactively with those that interact in delinquent behaviour and crimes which have a damaging affect on our neighborhood wellbeing.
"If anybody has any issues about crime and delinquent behaviour of their neighborhood, they're urged to contact police through 101 as quickly as doable so we will act when this behaviour is ongoing."
A West Lothian Council spokesperson stated: "We're conscious of the issues of the tenant and have been working to assist them. There have been no current reviews of anti-social behaviour reported to the Council. A Housing Officer has mentioned this with the tenant and members of the family.
"Steering has been supplied on the right way to report incidents to the Council’s Safer Neighbourhood Staff to permit them to research and take motion the place there's proof to take action. The tenant has additionally acquired recommendation on circumstances during which they need to contact Police Scotland.
"The tenant was supplied rehousing in accordance with the council’s allocations coverage nonetheless the tenant declined this provide. Housing Officers will proceed to interact with the tenant and supply housing choices and recommendation."
Do not miss the most recent information from the West Lothian Courier. Signal as much as our free e-newsletter right here