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Strong community pulls together after arson but the Wakefield Road, Greenhithe, is plagued by problems according to neighbours

Families say problems which have given the area a negative reputation have escalated lately.

Neighbours reported that on one occasion there was a brawl on the green outside involving one tenant and some other people they did not know.

One woman said the children were unable to play outside as much because cars were being driven through the little cul-de-sac erratically and at high speed.

Wakefield Road, Greenhithe, where a home was destroyed by flames
Wakefield Road, Greenhithe, where a home was destroyed by flames

One neighbour moved away because the constant violence caused her to have a breakdown, and it was having a similar affect on others, many of whom have lived in the area for 20 years and know each other well.

The latest incident was an arson attack on Kayleigh Cooper's flat last week. It is believed the target was actually a different flat on the block, but now Kayleigh has been left with nothing.

Two people have been arrested and charged, but problems are still continuing.

"It’s all very well the police saying ‘there’s no further risk to the community’ but once they left after the fire somebody came back and kicked in the security door again. It’s not safe here. My son is too petrified to go to sleep at night." - concerned resident

One woman, who feared being named, said her life and that of her son had been made a misery in the past six months.

“There’s screaming, arguing, domestic abuse and fights every week, and people bashing down the security door to get in.

“Hyde Housing said they would install CCTV cameras after the first few incidents, but they never did.

“We’ve called them, and the police so many times I’ve lost count, but nothing is ever done.

“You could see things were going to escalate; we could have predicted this, but nobody was willing to help.

“It’s all very well the police saying ‘there’s no further risk to the community’ but once they left after the fire somebody came back and kicked in the security door again.

“It’s not safe here. My son is too petrified to go to sleep at night.

“This has been my home for 15 years, I’ve redecorated it, I’ve got friends here, I don’t want to go but I’d leave it all in an instant to be somewhere safe.

“It used to be lovely, but it’s like living in a war zone now, with the pinnacle of lowlifes.

“This road has got a reputation for being a rough area but we have a really good community here.

Fire in Wakefield Road, Greenhithe, aftermath. Fire investigation teams at work.
Fire in Wakefield Road, Greenhithe, aftermath. Fire investigation teams at work.
Kayleigh's flat was completely destroyed by the blaze
Kayleigh's flat was completely destroyed by the blaze

“We have jobs, we do go to work, and we all pull together. We did a big collection for Kayleigh, so she had clothes to see her through, the poor girl had nothing.

“The fire was roaring in minutes. If Kayleigh had been in there, she wouldn’t have got out.

“There’s no fire escape, she and Harley would have died, or broken their legs jumping out the window.”

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