By Charlotte Webster-
Croydon’s Mp, Sarah Jones and council leader Hamida Ali, were called to to intervene in a dispute between residents and council officials, after the police were called to attend to the drama.
The exact form of the intervention is unclear, but police who arrived ready to make arrests, left quietly, as the authorities worked to calm the situation down. Locals in the area say many residents are suffering from mental health issues over their long running issues with Croydon Council who abandoned residents in accommodation with leakages for over four years, ignoring their multiple pleas for help.
The scenes in New Addington this morning were sparked after a council official alongside staff from Brick by Brick got residents removed from a public space in Warbank Crescent, which they normally share with 10 other families as play space for their children. Brick by Brick is the council-owned development firm that borrowed £200million from the borough since 2015, plunging the council into a financial crisis.
The residents had arranged seating and furniture in the space, waiting for a community engagement meeting with councilors tomorrow. Residents said the residents’ property was removed, damaged or destroyed by the council staff and builders. The officials even removed a kids’ paddling pool.
The tension this morning was connected with the serious failings of the council which is making many of its residents boil over. Council staff were accused of seizing and destroying outdoor furniture belonging to residents- there are residents who want their destroyed belongings replaced.
Some angry residents are threatening legal suits against the council, but most can’t afford the funds for such an expensive battle. Some are hoping to raise funds to support a legal challenge.
Police arrive with van planning arrests. Image: Supplied
Croydon Council has been mired in controversy over ill treatment of its residents, and has been dubbed the worst council in the Uk. Itv has shown interest in the council’s appalling handling of its funds and residents, and senior members of the council have been forced to step down in the last year, including Steve O’Connor who was with the council for 19 years, and cabinet member, Simon Hall in October, 2020, and two executive directors in February, including Lisa Taylor and Guy Van Dichele , this year, in the wake of disciplinary proceedings.
The tension this morning was connected with the serious failings of the council which is making many of its residents boil over. Locals say they have been treated with absolute contempt by the council, and have long been desperate for solutions which have not been forthcoming.
Brick by Brick is the council-owned development firm that borrowed £200million from the borough since 2015, plunging the council into a financial crisis.