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Full board and lodgings is a Mecca for vandals

Rebecca Eames
20/ 5/2004

A LANGWORTHY woman fears her home will become a target for vandalism after Salford Council ignored her plea not to board up two neighbouring council houses.

Gay Reen is angry with the council for not taking responsibility for her safety.

According to the 48-year-old, the houses in Osborne Street have stood empty without being boarded up for a number of years without being vandalised.

Ms Reen said: "I've told them not to board up these houses and up until now they haven't. There have never been any fires or vandalism. I'm angry that no one told me this was going to happen because I don't want them to do this. I'll become a sitting target."

Ms Reen will be moving house as part of the council's homeswap scheme, but building work will not begin on the new house until later in the summer and she fears she could have to wait up to 12 months before being re-housed.

A spokesperson for Salford Council said: "We have listened to Ms Reen's concerns on this issue, but it is our responsibility to ensure the properties are fully protected at all times.

"Across this area, residents have been encouraging us strongly to secure property in this manner. If Ms Reen remains concerned there is other help we can offer with advice and security measures to her home."