'FRIGHTENTED' elderly residents living at a Bridport sheltered housing block say they have been faced with 'brazen' drug dealing and armed police raids outside their flats.

Vernons Court is located just off South Street near the town centre and is managed by Magna Housing Association.

But people living there have told The News they have been awoken at night by anti-social behaviour and blasted the housing provider for its 'chronic failure' to deliver 'duty of care' to tenants.

A Vernons Court Residents Association has been set up to deal with residents' 'massively growing dissatisfaction' at the housing complex in west Dorset.

The group's chairman, Chris Chantler, said that police raids are 'still ongoing' after five years, adding that one individual was even spotted with what appeared to be a 'machete' in his back pocket.

Mr Chantler, and another resident who did not wish to be named, also claim Magna is 'impossible' to contact.

Another concern was the reported death of a resident which Vernons Court occupants believe could have been prevented if correct procedures were followed. 

"We believe that Magna is a company deep in crisis and their actions and the way they deal with complaints can only lead to further disasters," Mr Chantler said.

"On top of all this they now have the audacity to issue an 11.1 per cent rent increase."

IT worker Mr Chantler, 65, also lambasted Magna's failure to purchase a defibrillator for Vernons Court, claiming the operator put this down to an 'insurance problem'.

His fellow resident said: "I have lived in this flat for 30 years and I have seen Magna at its best - and now I am seeing it at its worst."

Mr Chantler said he has witnessed drug dealing happening in the nearby apple orchards and park, while residents have even resorted to buying personal alarms to protect themselves.

"This is sheltered housing with an average age in the 60s, and we have had armed police raids," he added. 

"That is what we are dealing with. We should not live like this, we've got to the point where we can't cope. We are frightened."

"I know one of these elderly people are going to get hurt - it is going to happen. They do not hide the [drug] dealing - it is blatant."

Neighbourhood Inspector Ged Want, of West Dorset police, said: “We recognise the significant impact that anti-social behaviour (ASB) and drug-related activity has on the local community and we want residents to feel safe in the area.

“Between Thursday, October 21, 2020 and Tuesday, March 21 we have received one report of ASB at Vernons Court.

“Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team are working relentlessly with our partner agencies, including housing associations, to tackle any reported ASB.

“The team has carried out a number of safeguarding visits at Vernons Court and they provided their contact details for anyone who wished to report any issues or concerns.

“We are putting local communities at the heart of everything we do and are committed to providing a safe county for everyone. 

“We recognise that not all incidents of ASB are reported to the police and we would urge anyone with information to please contact police."

A Magna spokesman said: "Our customers’ safety is our top priority. If anyone suspects criminal activity is happening, they should contact the police in the first instance.

"Our community safety team works closely with the police and other partners to tackle anti-social behaviour.”