UMVA has learned that a once-thriving neighborhood has been transformed into a virtual ghost town, as residents wait for redevelopment work to begin on Ekin Road.
The few remaining households are now surrounded by dozens of vacant homes, a situation that some claim has unleashed a wave of antisocial behavior and vandalism. Cambridge City Council plans to replace the estate with 78 new council houses and 56 private homes, but for now, residents are living in a state of limbo.
Residents report that groups of marauding youngsters have been breaking into abandoned flats, smashing windows, and wrecking interiors for months. Some are even using discarded bins as makeshift climbing frames to reach sheds, balconies, and upper floors, before unleashing their destructive impulses.
Locals say that the empty properties have become a magnet for increasingly brazen and antisocial behavior. Dr. Maurice Chiodo, who has been leading the campaign for change, says that the problems escalated earlier this year as the estate became increasingly empty. He describes the vandals as large groups, sometimes up to twenty strong, armed with golf clubs and hell-bent on destruction.
The situation has left residents feeling vulnerable and afraid. Meg Gadja, 63, is the only remaining resident in her block, and she's worried about her safety. 'I live here alone in the whole building and it's not safe for me,' she says. 'I want to see more visible patrols and I worry that it's easy for people to tell when I'm not at home.'
Chris Workman, 38, is also one of the few remaining residents on the estate. He's finding the situation unsettling and it's affecting his sleep. 'Anyone could come in and do anything,' he says. 'They've removed the scanning equipment on the rear entrance, they urinate on the floor, and use golf clubs to smash windows.'
Cambridge City Council says that Ekin Road was selected for redevelopment because some of the homes, built in the 1950s and 1960s, suffered from serious maintenance and structural problems. The authority insists that leaving the estate unchanged was not an option, but acknowledges the difficulties facing residents.
The council claims that mobile security patrols, alarms, and motion sensors are in place, and that security measures are reviewed when required. Cambridgeshire Police say that officers are aware of the issues and continue to patrol the area, urging residents to keep reporting incidents to build a clearer picture of the antisocial behavior on the estate.
