WALTHAMSTOW: Families angry over empty pub crime (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAMSTOW: Families angry over empty pub crime

9:17am Friday 3rd September 2010 in

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RESIDENTS are calling for a derelict pub to be secured after it was set on fire in the latest of a long line of incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour.

Families in Pembroke Road and Grove Road, Walthamstow, are angry about constant problems with squatters, fly-tipping and thieves associated with the former Grove Tavern, which closed two years ago.

Lucy Roswell, who lives near the pub, said: "Since this time, local residents have suffered continuous problems following the owners inability to secure the property.

These include: the property being used by squatters; regular vandalism of the property; regular fly-tipping and thieves stripping the building of materials internally and externally."

This week 40 residents attended a meeting with local councillors Mark Rusling, Saima Mahmud and Ahsan Khan to vent their frustrations.

Mrs Roswell added: "Many witnessed the arson incident which occurred on Saturday, when police and the fire brigade were called to The Grove Tavern as a result of further vandalism.

"A fire was started inside the property, which could easily have spread to adjoining properties and even injured someone, as the pub is part of a terrace and the immediate neighbour is a disabled elderly gentleman; who would not be able to vacate his property at speed if a fire spread.

"We (as residents and neighbours) stated to the councillors that the the council have falied on every date that we have been advised on, including hoarding and securing the property, which we had previously been advised would be erected by Waltham Forest Council in May; and again by August 20.

"Waltham Forest Council's inaction to either call the property owner to account, or act on his behalf, are causing a serious health and safety hazard to residents and passing locals in the area."

Since the meeting the council has served a notice instructing the owner that the windows and doors be boarded up on Monday, September 6, and that hoarding will also be put up around the property.

But residents said this is only a short term solution and they will be asking the owner to preserve the "once elegant building."

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