COUNCIL tax payers are funding private security to guard people living in a block of Brierley Hill flats.

Dudley Council has stepped up security at Chapel Court, Chapel Street, to combat hooligans who elderly residents say are taking drugs and drinking inside the building.

Part-time door staff have been put in place to prevent unauthorized entry to the blighted block but residents, including Dudley councillor and former Mayor Margaret Wilson (pictured above), are calling for more CCTV and a round-the-clock concierge.

Cllr Wilson said: "People are frightened to answer their doors and some have been verbally abused by people trying to get in, it's like running a gauntlet.

"We know some of the people coming in are not nice people, some are on drugs and intimidating."

The security upgrade, which also includes increased patrols on the site, follows a petition from residents to the council demanding action at Chapel Court and its sister blocks, Dean Court and Brickiln Court.

Council officers pledged to gather information from petitioners and anyone found to be regularly letting yobs into the building could face eviction.

Cllr Wilson said: "People are upset, we just want to stop the problem as elderly people live there and they do not want the disturbance.

"We don't want to evict people, we don't want people to lose their homes."

Sergeant Jackie Madden from Brierley Hill police said: "Dudley Council have put extra security on and we are working in partnership with the council and residents.

"We are working to educate certain residents not to let undesirable people in and would urge people to contact us about anti-social behaviour issues which we will deal with robustly."

A council response to the petition will be discussed at a meeting of Brierley Hill Area Committee tonight (Thursday).

Cllr Wilson is chairman of the committee but will be unable to take part in the debate as she has a prejudicial interest due to her status as a resident.