RESIDENTS rehomed as part of the ongoing RAAC crisis in Tillicoultry have been left fearing for their possessions after boards safeguarding their properties were ripped off.
Tenants and homeowners reported possible break-ins after spotting the plywood boards and metal screens preventing access to the affected properties had been removed.
The screens had been installed on the flat block on 35-51 High Street as part of a dangerous building notice placed on the property shortly after the dangerous crumbly concrete was discovered.
The removal of the screens has increased concerns for residents, who felt they have been lied to about security precautions for their properties.
Lynsey McQuater has been left calling for answers since being removed from her home back in October, working with the UK RAAC Campaign Group to fight for the rights of those affected.
“This is not good enough,” she said. “We were told a security company would patrol our area, but we’ve never seen anyone.
“We were also assured that CCTV was installed, yet we can’t locate any cameras.”
Residents noticed the screens had been removed on Tuesday, August 27, sharing images of the damage on a council-managed WhatsApp group.
This group is used by residents, Wilson Chowdhry who chairs the campaign group, and Wilson Lees, homelessness and supporting people managed for Clackmannanshire Council.
Mr Chowdhry said: “For many residents, this was the final straw.
“Evicted from their homes by council officers and police, residents expressed their anger, fear and frustration in the WhatsApp group, demanding better security from the council.
“Concerns over the council’s handling of security intensified as homeowners called for the release of CCTV footage, questioning the existence of proposed cameras.”
Many residents voiced their concern in the WhatsApp group that the measures, put in place by Clackmannanshire Council, had been breached, leaving their properties at risk.
As per meetings between the UK RAAC Campaign Group and Clacks Council, a talking point for residents has been an opportunity to enter the properties and claim back their possessions.
A demand for this has been enhanced in light of the attempted break-in and the council have doubled down on their pledge to secure the properties.
A spokesperson for Clackmannanshire Council said: “We were made aware of an attempted break-in to the block of flats located at 35-51 High Street, Tillicoultry, and our out of hours trade operatives attended to re-secure the property.
“There was no evidence found to suggest that entry had been gained to the common area of the block or individual flats.
“The council is currently reviewing the security arrangements in place at all unoccupied buildings affected by RAAC, and will continue to keep those affected updated.”
Despite the safeguard removal causing distress among residents, Police Scotland, who responded to the incident, insist nothing was taken.
The Advertiser contacted the police for a statement, who explained that they found no traces of criminality.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8/25pm on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, we received a report of an attempted break-in at High Street, Tillicoultry.
“Officers attended and there was no evidence of any criminality.”
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