Vandalised or run down? Even the police can't tell

The poor condition of premises at Trafalgar Court in Tividale mean officers cannot work out if reports of criminal damage are legitimate or not, said Sgt Sam Archer, who is responsible for the neighbourhood.

Windows are smashed at many of the homes, window frames are rotting from the outside, and many of the vacant flats have been boarded up in a bid to stop break-ins. No damage was actually recorded as a crime there in the last year though, said police.

Sgt Archer said: "Trafalgar Court, Tividale, is in a shocking state. We are having reports of crime occurring but due to the poor state of the premises and garages we cannot tell if the reports are legitimate or not.

"We will be contacting local landlords and also Sandwell Council to see how we can work to improve the location."

People living on the estate, which is made up of a series of flats on top of garages, say a number of the properties are vacant and being targeted by nuisance children because they have 'nothing else to do'.

They say many of the homes are privately owned but maintenance issues are being regularly ignored and the estate is becoming gradually more rundown.

The owner of eight blocks of flats has previously been fined for continued failure to deal with repairs.

Trafalgar Court Property Ltd was told to pay £45,900 for failing to carry out repairs to dangerous stairs, walkways and porches. And then last July it was fined a further £16,800 after not fixing the problems.

It was one of the largest penalties handed to a single landlord for these types of offences.

Joseph Foster, who works suspending ceilings, has been living on the estate for two years.

The 32-year-old claimed people are repeatedly entering one empty flat because the door is broken and vandalising the inside. All three of its windows have been smashed. Mr Foster added he could not argue with Sgt Archer's verdict of the estate. He said: "The council needs to have a word with the landlords to get them to do something. They're always quick enough to collect the rent but not to sort out maintenance.

"The police are just trying to do their job but the landlords should be doing more to tidy the place up."

Leigh Clarke, who has worked as a mechanic and factory worker in the past but is currently unemployed, has been living on the estate for a year.

Two flats next door to his have both been boarded up by police to stop intruders. The 45-year-old said he would like to paint the inside of his flat himself but could not afford to. He added: "People are very close to one another on this estate and look after each other. If it looked a bit cleaner and tidier people might not be coming in and smashing it up.

"There must be seven or eight different landlords who own properties on the estate but it doesn't look like they're doing much to improve it."

Councillor Ian Jones, the borough's regeneration chief, said: "We are continuing to work with the police on behalf of the tenants at Trafalgar Court and to ensure that their living conditions are improved by the freeholder, Trafalgar Court Property Ltd.

"The council's private sector housing team meets regularly with the tenants to discuss their concerns and we will continue to use the powers we have as a local authority."

A private developer, who did not wish to give his name, bought one of the flats at auction but said the estate was rundown.

He added: "When people see it like this, it turns them away from coming here. I'm prepared to put some money in because I think you could turn some of these properties around."