AN ANNAN street has been described as a “war zone” after vandals have been targeting nearby empty flats.
The empty Hillview flats have become a magnet for youngsters over the summer, with numerous reports of incidents of groups of people smashing windows with stones.
At a visit to the buildings yesterday – which are due to be demolished – it was evident how many of the windows have been put in or are shattered.
Tall fences have been put up in a bid to deter the vandals as work starts on the site.
But that hasn’t helped matters at all according to one neighbour. The furious and concerned resident – who wishes to stay anonymous – fears it’s “an accident waiting to happen”.
They said: “I’m fuming, annoyed, angry and feel like nobody cares.
“I have reported this to the police on a several occasions. I understand the police are under immense pressure and
they pass it on to the community officers but there doesn’t appear to be an increase in police presence here.
“It’s constant noise all night and I’m struggling to sleep at night due to alarms going off inside the flats.
“Where are the parents of these kids who let them out all times of night?
“Are they okay with them smashing up property, vandalising stuff and moving traffic cones and lights? I have witnessed this personally and it can’t go on. Kids will be kids but it could’ve caused an accident.
“This is an accident waiting to happen. At the end of the day it’s going to be the kids who get hurt from falling glass.
“The whole place is a disgrace, glass is everywhere. It’s horrible.”
Another concerned neighbour hopes the flats will be flattened as soon as possible.
They said: “Now the flats are coming down it will maybe help. The sooner, the better.
“It has been absolutely scandalous. It’s not nice as it makes the street and area look like a war zone.
“I don’t know why the vandals have been targeting these flats so much. They are throwing the stones during the middle of the day and at night.
“The place is a mess at the moment.”
A third resident commented that she has heard “bangs” during the night.
She added: “I’ve heard smashed windows, any time of day or night. This started when the flats were noted to be demolished.
“The cages just went up this week but it hasn’t improved anything.
“It’s not very nice living close to it. The quicker the flats are demolished the better.
“When I open the curtains it’s a terrible view and not a nice sight to see.”
Some windows of the flats at Fernlea Crescent have also been targeted.
Police Scotland was contacted for comment.
