Avondale Court, which sits next to the Highfield House Hotel, provides council-run accommodation and care for over-50s, many of whom are classed as vulnerable or have disabilities. The council property shares open-plan grounds with the hotel, with no physical barriers separating the two. While Avondale Court is equipped with CCTV and an emergency call system, residents claim these systems have not been working for some time.
According to residents, problems began after the Highfield House Hotel began hosting asylum seekers. They report repeated incidents of anti-social behaviour, including hotel migrant guests urinating against the Avondale Court building, migrant groups drinking whiskey in their private car park late into the night, attempted break-ins, damage to their sheds and gardens and recently the building front door being kicked in. Residents also describe individuals knocking on windows late at night and creating what they call an “intimidating atmosphere”.
“I don’t feel safe here anymore,” said one resident, who asked not to be named due to fear of reprisals. “We’ve reported everything to the police, but all we ever get is a crime number. No one ever comes out to check on us. We dont know what to do to be honest”
Residents say they have repeatedly asked Southampton City Council to repair or replace the broken CCTV, but claim nothing has been done. “Sometimes it feels like they don’t want it to work,” said another resident.
Many at Avondale Court say the ongoing situation has left them anxious and reluctant to leave their homes. “It shouldn’t be like this,” said one. “We’re just trying to live in peace, but we feel completely ignored.”
A fundraising effort is now underway, aiming to raise money for a new CCTV system and improved security for the vulnerable residents. Organisers say every penny will go directly to the residents, who “don’t deserve to have their quality of life and wellbeing impacted like this”.
Southampton City Council and Hampshire Constabulary have been approached for comment.
Southampton Times will be posting details of the fund raising campaign to get a working CCTV system for the residents soon.
