SYRINGES and urine stains have left residents at a newly-developed block of flats living in fear after their complaints fell on deaf ears.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said he and his family have reached breaking point after being at Garrard House for just three weeks.

Homeless people continue to gain access to the building and have been occupying communal areas and 'defecating' on the floors.

Neighbours have had to put up with break-ins and suspect that drug dealing is taking place due to the number of discarded syringes.

Countless complaints have been made to Lambert Smith Hampton after the development was completed last year.

He said: "Flats have been broken into, drug dealing and drug taking happens on a daily basis. One resident was attacked and hospitalised last year and yet the management company fail to provide a permanent solution.

"As leaseholders we are fully within our rights to expect basic security, communal cleaning and a more active presence from the management company.

"I have only been there for three weeks and I am shocked at the current state of things. Some residents have been complaining for over a year now and nothing has been dealt with.

"Some families are living in fear because they can hear squatters shouting in the hallways. They have not been very proactive and not apologised once.

"I would hate for it to get to the point where we need security, but we need to be reassured. The police had to come in and evict people from the flats before. There is no open dialogue."

Residents are tired of living in squalor and have reported their concerns to Thames Valley Police.

As well as suspected drug taking, people have complained about urine stains on carpets and appalling amounts of rubbish in the hallways and lift.

A spokesman for Lambert Smith Hampton added: “Resident safety is our number one priority and we take any concerns they have seriously. We have upgraded the existing security measures already in place and continue to liaise with specialists on improving security measures for the building.

"To further reduce the likelihood of incidents of anti-social behaviour, we regularly contact the residents to remind them not to let people tailgate and follow them into the building.

"We are working with the community policing unit to discuss the residents’ concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area and have provided them with access to the building to carry out regular patrols. We are also working with a local homeless charity to develop long term solutions.”

Call police on 101, quoting reference 245 (12/4) if you have any concerns.