UK’s worst tower block where families cower while yobs start fires and kick in doors

Trey Walker says life in The Panorama is a ‘living hell’ Thugs are plaguing residents of a nine-story tower block with anti-social behaviour including drug-taking, vandalism and arson, making their lives a ‘living hell’, a young father has revealed. Trey Walker, who lives in one of the 241 flats at The Panorama, in Ashford, Kent, painted a grim picture of day-to-day existence, admitting he and his pregnant fiancee Britney Burgess were are the end of their tether. Mr Walker said problems had worsened after the number of security staff was cut in December 2022. The 25-year-old, who works at Subway, said: “The anti-social behaviour has just become unbearable but it’s also criminal damage and trespassing – they are destroying the place. “It’s time to take a stand. We can’t carry on like this any more.” READ MORE: The new Brexit board game featuring Nigel Farage Trey Walker says the anti-social behaviour has become ‘unbearable’ Teenagers were able to get inside the building by prising open the front sliding doors or kicking in the rear fire doors, Mr Walker explained. Sometimes they got up onto the roof, throwing down footballs and stones and even on on occasion a large bag of sand which landed on a car and “wrote it off’, he added. He also blamed them for stealing parcels in the communal postbox area, trying to set fires in a staircase and leaving steps littered with matches. Further damage includes kicking in the panels of fire exit doors, ripping out fire exit signs and taking doors clean off their hinges before smearing obscene drawings on them. Mr Walker said they had also flooded the basement by breaking piping, knocked out panelling in partitions below staircases – as well as running through corridors, ringing doorbells and trying the handles to get into people’s flats. Obscene drawings have been scrawled on doors He and Ms Burgess, 23, have lived in the block for two years along with their toddler Romeo. Mr Walker said: “My two-year-old son likes to take the stairs with me but we can’t even do that, because they’re sitting there smoking and smashing glass.” Before December there were no problems, say the couple, who pay £950 a month (£830 for rent and £120 for electricity). Ms Burgess, who is due to give birth in January, said: “I don’t want to live here anymore. I don’t feel safe. If the building goes up when a fire is set, what then?” She had to call Mr Walker home from work when she was so frightened of the hooligans running around kicking doors. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Fire doors have been kicked in He said: “It’s causing so many issues for people’s mental well-being. “It’s honestly just so tiring. I’ve had to kick teens out of the building twice. “We are looking to move out but I would advise people to double-check before moving here as it’s just a living hell.” Other residents have complained and aired their concerns on their Facebook group. A spokesman for building managers Centrick said: “In conjunction with the owners, a building security survey was undertaken and following the results of the survey brought The Panorama in line with other similar sites. “This new security level includes a full-time building manager and daily patrols. Flooding damage in the building Trending