CAMPAIGNERS say something needs to be done about mounting rubbish and squatters illegally breaking into the site of an abandoned pub to protect children.

Members of the Seven Kings and Newbury Park Residents Association (SKNPRA) say dumped fridges on the site of the old Avenue Pub, in Newbury Park, could create a potential hazard to the most vulnerable.

They are now calling on Southern Housing Group and Redbridge Council to unite to stop it from happening before it gets out of hand.

David Stephens, the chairman of SKNPRA, says the situation has left him feeling “angry”.

He urged Southern Housing Group and Redbridge Council to unite and confront an issue that has “been getting worse” since it began at the start of July.

“The land around the pub should be cleared of all rubbish and the fences re-secured,” he said.

“Similarly, the building needs to be secured against illegal entry and action taken to prevent further deterioration. It appears that people are living in the building - we suspect these may be squatters.”

“How long will it be before thieves get into the building and start stripping out the copper pipes and anything else of value?”

He says the situation started to get out of hand in July when the pub’s tenants were told to vacate the premises by Southern.

Residents reported the issue to the housing group and the council’s enforcement team.

But they said they couldn’t do anything until they discovered who owns the land, leaving residents all the more furious.

But Mr Stephens says Southern Housing Group should “recognise its responsibilities” and urgently do something about it.

Earlier this year, SKNPRA members clashed with both organisations earlier this year over the housing group’s application to build a 12-storey tower block on the site.

As things stand, SNKPRA are unsure whether flats will be built on the site at all.

“We are waiting to see what Southern’s next move is. As things stand we don’t know if flats will be built there. The ball is very much in Southern’s court,” said Mark Kennedy, a member of SNKPRA.

A spokeswoman for Southern Housing Group said: "We can confirm that Southern Housing Group is working on this project in partnership with the landowner.

"However, as we do not own the site we are not in a position to answer your query."

A spokeswoman for Redbridge Council said: "The owners of the land have been served with a notice which requires them to clear the land of all waste and secure the land to prevent further build-up. They have 28 day to comply."