TERRIFIED tenants living on Romsey's Broadwater housing estate are demanding transfers if their landlord doesn't take action to prevent arson and yob attacks.

Tenants at St Anne's House and Tadburn Green flats, off Banning Street, feel they are being terrorised by yobs and live in fear after two arson attacks in as many weeks.

They are now calling on their landlord, Testway Housing, to take action to stamp out the growing yob menace.

During the early hours of Tuesday, May 31st, the wall of the Tadburn Green block was scorched in an arson attack and three homes lost power for eight hours after the blaze burnt through electricity cables. Tenants at flats 12, 19 and 31 had to be evacuated and were found alternative accommodation for the night.

Police have reports of a large group of youths spotted near the fire shortly after the blaze started in rubbish bins. A few weeks earlier, dustbins and old furniture were set alight near the flats.

Less than a month ago police targeted the area in a bid to eradicate problems with teenage gangs. Information packs, entitled Tackling crime Together, were delivered to households and included a form from Testway Housing asking people to log incidents of anti-social behaviour.

One resident, Valerie Pryce, said life has become unbearable.

"Residents are so worried and fearful they are threatening to move en-masse to somewhere safer if nothing is done to protect them," she said. "We do have a lot of problems with teenagers and vandalism. The worrying thing is the arson attacks. People are living in fear that it will happen again.

"A fire exit at St Anne's House is partially blocked with railway sleepers in a bid to prevent children playing football in the area. We are all very, very concerned and afraid the arsonists are going to set fire to the sleepers and the creosote could fuel a serious fire." Another, who did not wish to be named, said: "We've had a lot of problems in the area. There has been a lot of graffiti. Some of a homophobic nature."

Romsey-based police sergeant, Ian Goozee, giving more details about the latest arson attack, said: "The crime desk has classified this as an arson attack. This was a serious incident. Residents regularly complain of problems in this area. There has been an increase in juvenile nuisance in the Banning Street area and the police are going to step up patrols."

A police spokesman added: "People's lives are being endangered by the irresponsible actions of those involved in the arson attacks. It is causing considerable upset to elderly residents and is totally unacceptable behaviour."

Testway's head of housing, Sarah Durrans, said: "We are working closely with the police and fire service to make sure that we are doing everything possible to ensure that the people who live in St Anne's House and Tadburn Green remain safe." Continued on page 2

She said housing staff were talking with elderly residents to keep them informed and reassure them that they remain safe.

"We've double-checked fire procedures and have arranged for the fire service and the police to meet the residents of St Anne's House and discuss their fears," she added.

"The residents' concerns and suggestions for solutions for the area are being considered and are part of an ongoing consultation project." The sleeper planters were introduced as a way of tackling nuisance caused by youngsters playing football too close to the area, she explained.

"We don't believe they are a fire hazard and do not stop evacuation of the area but we are discussing with St Anne's residents what they would prefer to see in that area," added the housing boss.

Testway said it is to embark on a "neighbourhood blitz" to rid the area of untaxed cars and untidy gardens, and a series of events to engage young people in the area and divert them away from anti-social behaviour.