We live on 'Britain's worst council estate - it is hell

Terrified families have described living on a 'hell' hole council estate say they are treated worse than animals.

They have called for Barking and Dagenham Council in east London to close down Millard Terrace and 'start again'.

Vandals terrorise locals by breaking lifts and doors and families are constantly having to clean up human urine and excrement in stairways and landings each day.

Some children have been left so traumatised at the conditions that they have had to receive specialist counselling and therapy.

Millard Terrace sits above Heathway Shopping Centre and is formed of a six-storey block, a three-storey block and a deck level.

Shocking photos show drug equipment in public areas and suspected drug users sleeping rough outside the front door of residents.

The council bought Heathway Shopping Centre in 2020 as part of a Dagenham Heathway redevelopment bid, receiving £10.8 million for the project in January 2023 from the government's Levelling Up fund.

Mother-of-two Bianca Green has lived in the block for 15 years and described it as 'third-world conditions'.

The 31-year-old said: 'It is a living hell. It's a nightmare.

'You would not treat animals like this, so why families? It's a disgrace.

'Things have deteriorated in recent years to the point of no return.

'My daughter has had to have counselling.

'Drug users constantly abuse us. There's no other way to our front door than going by them and we just get yelled and screamed at either when they are high or on a come down.

'We have had five recent attempted break-ins. It's not safe.

'It is appalling.'

She said having to clear human waste was 'horrific'.

She added: 'That's almost a daily basis. We report it and nothing happens.

'It's disgusting. It's the lowest of the low. These people have no respect. They do not even live here, they just break in.

'We're supposed to put up with it.

'This is supposed to be Britain in 2024. It's as bad as it gets.'

She added: 'We are left to rot while they decide if they can actually afford to redevelop Millard Terrace.

'I'm scared, my children are absolutely petrified.

'We can't leave our home without fearing who's on our landing, who's going to be outside our door or who we will bump into in the lifts.'

Her children - aged two and seven - are scared of leaving the flat, still have nightmares after a break-in more than a year ago and have to walk past 'so many needles' on the way to the lifts.

Paul Warren, 55, described the area as 'filthy'.

Paul, who has lived there for nine years, said: 'It's terrible.

'It's a big crack den, in public. The worst thing I have seen is human waste on every single floor. It's dreadful.

'How bad are they going to let it get? How low are they going to sink before something is done?' 

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said prostitution was also rife in the block.

She said: 'Pimps turn up and get business, it's so sad.

'It's a cesspit of humanity.'

Another said: 'It needs closing down and just starting again.

'It's Britain's worst estate'.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'We are sympathetic to the concerns that residents have raised in Millard Terrace.

'Officers continue to patrol the area in order to reassure communities, tackle crime and antisocial behaviour.

'We are speaking with local residents and businesses and continue to work with local authority partners to look at ways of improving security and safety in the area.

'I urge anyone who is concerned about criminal activity in the area to come forward and talk to the police.'

A spokesperson for Barking and Dagenham Council said: 'The Council takes this very seriously and we're working closely with the police to address residents' concerns about safety at Millard Terrace, including conducting joint patrols and resident surgeries to engage with the community.

'CCTV coverage across Millard Terrace is also being expanded to improve security and deter criminal activities. Our control room, which monitors the cameras, works proactively with The Met Police, our Community Safety Enforcement Team, our appointed security team, and outreach for homeless or rough sleepers.

'Caretakers are onsite daily to empty bins, clean the stairwells and identify any health and safety concerns. We are also exploring new equipment and services for deep cleaning of the stairwells.

'Further improvements will include redecoration of the stairwells, the launch of a designated online hub specifically for Millard Terrace residents and more community open days where residents and council officers come together to make improvements.'