SECURITY has been stepped up at properties purchased by Cornwall Council ahead of a ‘new town’ being built near Truro after residents complained they were being vandalised.

Security fencing has now been installed at the derelict houses the council bought along the Northern Access Road (NAR), next to what is due to become Langarth Garden Village after teenagers and homeless damaged the properties following the security reportedly being stopped.

There have also been complaints about dog poo bins along the new Northern Access Road (NAR) overflowing and never being emptied.

The resident, who did not want to be named, said: “The council stopped all security and now teenagers and homeless are breaking in to the properties. Doors smashed. There were gas cylinders in the buildings. It’s just a matter of time before it’s set alight or an accident happens.

“There were a number of teenage kids there messing around while I was walking my dog. They were abusive and swearing when I told them it was dangerous. The council had just put cable ties keeping gates up. It’s a joke.

“I have reported this to Cllr Dulcie Tudor and she has contacted someone and said they would make sure it’s secure, but plastic cable ties are not going to keep them out as I found out this afternoon.”

Cllr Dulcie Tudor, whose Cornwall Council division includes Langarth, stated the derelict properties would be fenced off securely ‘asap’ to prevent accidents and squatting.

Cllr Tudor stated on social media: “Thank you to those who’ve messaged me about bins along the new Northern Access Road spilling over with dog poo bags, etc, as well as empty buildings within the site not being properly secured.”

Regarding the bins, Cllr Tudor said: “The council, Treveth, Cormac had installed the bins with no thought to how they would be emptied. I’ve objected to plans to solve this by removing the bins and insisted a formal system to empty them is put in place. This is now being addressed as part of general stewardship of the whole new town site.”

Cornwall Council has been contacted to ask what was being done about security at the properties. A spokesperson said they were waiting to speak to the relevant officers before making a statement. However residents have stated that proper security fencing has now been installed.

A resident: “It’s all down to cost. They stopped the security and now started again since we complained.”