Security at Vulcan Mill in Ancoats has been beefed up following a spate of burglaries.
It follows similar moves at nearby CHIPS and has prompted calls for a co-ordinated approach for the wider area and a joint meeting involving building owners, managing agents, residents and the police and city council.
"We have a dedicated email where people can tell us of any problems and it is one person’s job to get them sorted."
Carol Ainscow, whose company Artisan converted Vulcan and still manages the building, said: “We were obviously concerned when we heard about the break-ins and have added new locks to each floor and now have a night patrol going through the building.
“And we will be talking to owners about installing CCTV.
“We still own 50 flats in Vulcan, so obviously I want it to be secure. There have been four incidents, it was not open season.”
CHIPS had problems with break-ins and youths getting into the building before agents RMG and Urban Splash added new locks and employed a 24 hour guard, and other blocks nearby, Albion and Advent, have also had security issues.
Police have drop in sessions at CHIPS and a weekly newsletter and Ainscow said: “We met the police on Monday and have sent a letter to residents saying the police will be in the building next week to speak about concerns.
Vulcan Mill, Ancoats
“Action is being taken and I think it is important to tell people that.
“I would also like everyone in the area to get together to look at the issues and share information and best practice.
“All the managing agents, building owners and the police, together with resident representatives so people know the part they can play and have a joined up approach to security.
“Often the physical initiatives, the new locks and the CCTV are the easy bits, it is what happens in practice that is more difficult. Our night patrol found someone on the top floor having a party and just buzzing anyone into the front door. Residents have to take responsibility too.”
She said she was aware of a Vulcan Mill residents page on Facebook but denied Artisan was slow to react to complaints.
She said: “We have a dedicated email where people can tell us of any problems and it is one person’s job to get them sorted."
In case you need it- propertymaintenance@artisanh.com
The joint meeting idea was welcomed by Councillor Rosa Battle whose council ward this is. She said: “Communication is often the key to solving these problems and one of the reasons CHIPS got better was that we got the agents RMG and Urban Splash and the police round the table together.
“To do that on an area wide basis would be a great initiative and something I would gladly help to set up.
“We have written to Artisan before on management issues from the top level at the Town Hall but not heard anything back so I am delighted to hear of their support for this. It would be a really positive step forward.
“I feel sympathy with residents who often feel frustrated trying to get action. New East Manchester is a great place to live and residents should feel secure and safe in their own homes.”
