Yobs make me a prisoner in my own home (From Worcester News)

Yobs make me a prisoner in my own home

3:00pm Thursday 6th September 2012 in News By Catherine Phillips, Reporter

Buy this photo » MISERABLE: Barbara Steele (36123803)

A LARGE banner has been hung outside the Worcester flat of a distraught woman who is desperate to move to escape anti-social behaviour.

Barbara Steele claimed she has resorted to the peaceful protest because Worcester Community Housing and Worcester City Council left her waiting for new housing for about 16 months.

The banner, which has been hung outside her first-floor flat in Sheepscombe Drive, Warndon, since Monday, explains how much she loves her flat and the area but added: ‘WCC (Worcester City Council) and WCH (Worcester Community Housing) make me suicidal. I have no justice. I have no rights.’

However, Iain Harkess, head of operations at WCH, said they had been working closely with Miss Steele and other agencies to make sure they could get the best possible outcome for her.

Miss Steele alleged a police officer had contacted both agencies to explain she needed to move as she lived in fear after she was told previous tenants she helped to evict still had the right to visit a communal garden. She also says she is facing issues with other neighbours.

Miss Steele, a 52-year-old artist who has lived in the flat for nine years, said: “To get over the appalling things which happened with the previous neighbours, we all made a real effort to put the heart back into the community by making the garden really nice.

“But I’m now a prisoner in my own home. I love Sheepscombe Drive but if nothing is done about the anti-social behaviour it will be allowed to carry on ruining people’s lives,” she added.

Mr Harkess said they were aware of her situation and would continue to work with Miss Steele to help her find a suitable home that she would be happy to move to.

After the Worcester News contacted Worcester City Council, a spokeswoman said it had been in touch and asked Miss Steele to come to the offices to speak to them.

She added: “We hope she will come in and we are very much sympathetic to her situation.”