Lives improved in flats' revamp

Resident Jenny Roberts said the flats have improved already

Tenants are queuing up to live in redeveloped council flats in Wrexham after a £30,000 revamp.

The 26 flats in Bryn Awel Court in Gwersyllt, had fallen into disrepair and had been subject to anti-social behaviour and vandalism attacks.

"To be honest a lot of the residents wanted to move out because of the problems here," said Inspector Mark Chesters from North Wales Police.

However, now they have been redeveloped there is a waiting list for them.

"We've put intercom systems in and we've built a wall in the front with hi-tech door entry systems.

"We've also decorated all the inside stairwells and communal entrances and we've put little planters in the back so people can come and sit outside," said estate manager Christine Jones.

"It's fully tenanted at the moment and we do have a waiting list," she said.

Three-quarters of the flats had previously lain empty and those tenants that remained felt vulnerable and isolated.

Extra security has been provided at the flats

Jenny Roberts who still lives in the flats admits they had problems before the revamp.

"It was terrible. You had the kids coming in and out every day drawing all over the walls and drinking but since the gates have been up it's been quieter," the 22-year-old said.

"There was graffiti all over the walls, there was writing all over the walls in the corridor, cans of lager where the kids had been drinking - it was generally a mess.

"It's like walking into a different set of flats, you feel a lot safer now. As soon as the cameras went up the problems stopped," she added.

Wrexham Council has paid for the work which has taken 10 months to complete but North Wales Police have been on hand to offer security advice.

Along with neighbourhood wardens, officers will have a base at the flats which will be manned at specific times.

"It's a post for regular police surgeries, it's not an actual police station," said Inspector Chesters.

"It will be a place where people can come and speak to the local officers if they want to and give a witness statement or anything like that," he added.