Stair security teams set to target Capital

HOUSEHOLDERS who refuse to keep communal stair doors secure could be forced to do so under a crackdown to improve the safety of flats across the Capital.

Residents may find themselves hit with a statutory notice for repairs by council officials who have started patrolling neighbourhoods with police and firefighters.

The teams want to find the worst offending communal stairs, to give advice to residents on how to improve security, as well as safety by removing dumped and obstructive items.

Pc Bruce Burt, community beat officer with Lothian and Borders Police, said: "We always remind residents that securing their stair is in their best interests. It protects them and their property and also makes it more attractive, especially when thinking of selling."

Flats in the Lothian Road area are currently under review by the teams, but there are plans to roll the investigations out across the city.

In recent weeks, teams have discovered many problematic stairs, including one which was regularly having its door kicked in by intruders wishing access to take drugs.

Officers from the council and police found the door off its hinges, along with dumped building material, litter and drug paraphernalia inside.

Visits were made to all properties in the building and advice was given on how changes could be made. A follow-up inspection saw an improvement in cleanliness and security, with residents also reporting an end to people trying to break-in.

In another stair, officers discovered bikes chained to the railings of four out of five landings, blocking passageways and causing a safety hazard. Many of the bikes were old and abandoned, but have since been removed.

David Lockhart, community safety manager for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Property cluttering stairs can hinder an escape route or rescue efforts if a fire does occur.

"One of the worst case scenarios would be an old three-piece suite dumped at the bottom of a stair. This type of pre-fire retardant furniture is extremely dangerous when involved in fire and gives off thick, black, toxic fumes."

The stair security assessments look at the security of a communal stair, beginning with its door and intercom, before moving on to the passageway itself.

Teams make property owners aware of steps they need to make in the interests of safety, including changes to locks and lighting, removing items which could either be stolen or a fire hazard, as well as stressing that unknown callers should not be given access to the building.

Residents have been warned that if door entry repairs are not carried out, the council can serve a statutory notice which gives owners 28 days to organise a repair.

If they fail to do so, the council can do the work and charge each owner a share of the final bill.

Leaflets are to be circulated over the coming weeks to residents, local businesses, student unions and letting agencies to raise further awareness of the campaign.