Dingwall ‘house of horrors’ residents speak out
RESIDENTS inside a block of flats dubbed “the house of horrors” have spoken out for the first time about their fears of antisocial behaviour by a small minority.
Last month our report on concerns about incidents of drug-taking, violence, wilful destruction of property and noise nuisance within Ross Buildings on Dingwall’s Mart Road prompted an antisocial behaviour investigation.
One resident told us: “You should not feel fear when you are going home but that is what it is like”.
Locals in the town raised issues triggering an investigation that residents now credit with sparking Highland Council to take action by sending in cleaners and launching an antisocial behaviour probe.
The residents of the building – who spoke to us on condition of anonymity – said there have been times when they felt “like a prisoner inside your own home over who you might meet” inside.
“We have seen or heard regularly violence like people trying to batter each other’s doors down, there has been what sounded like fighting inside some of the flats,” we were told.
“You know there are kids living in the building and they should not be seeing that, this is their home, and they should feel safe – so should we.
“It is mostly young women living here and it can be really uncomfortable when you meet someone you have never seen before in the corridors.
“It is worse when you think that maybe they have taken something so you don’t know what their reaction might be - if I feel like that, what is like for the kids?
“It is really disgusting to come out of your flat and find that there is dog excrement in the corridors, the smell and just the sight of it is revolting – we are not animals.
“The back garden used to be really nice but you just don’t want to go out there anymore because you feel like a prisoner inside your own home over who you might meet.
“We are really grateful for the action taken by the council recently and it has helped but I don’t think it should have taken so long, it took far too long.
“We were scared that things would get worse and someone might get hurt, then some guy went out a window and I just felt the council had been warned something bad would happen.
“Things only got moving after the report in the paper, the council were out the next day clearing up and tidying up and the antisocial behaviour investigation.
“The housing officers are all really nice and I get they must be busy but I just wish they had acted a bit faster.
“This is our home after all, anyone deserves to feel safe in their home – we didn’t feel like that and it just feels wrong and it feels like we were ignored”.
Highland Council earlier confirmed it is investigating, adding: “All reports of antisocial behaviour cases are taken seriously, investigated with appropriate action taken, and the Council endeavours to keep complainant(s) informed of progress with the case in a reasonable timescale.
“Any concerns regarding criminal activities should be reported to the Police on 101 or 999 if it is an emergency.
“If you are worried that a child is at immediate risk of harm, phone the Police on 999 without delay. If you are worried that a child may be at risk of harm, please visit http://hcpc.scot/professionals for local contact numbers. If you are worried that a child may be at risk of harm and it is outwith office hours, phone 0808 175 3646.
“For further information about child protection visit www.hcpc.scot”.
