Gants Hill family living in fear after burglary

The Syed family have a broken door after suffering a break in a month ago. They are still waiting for Asra to fix the door. Ilford. London on September 11, 2014. Photo: Arnaud Stephenson (Image: Archant)

Fazil Syed, 23, of Eastern Avenue, Gants Hill, took a month off work to recover after burglars stole “everything from top to bottom”.

He said despite staff from housing provider Asra visiting the property “six or seven times” they have failed to fit a new door since the burglary on August 5.

“We are all in shock at the moment,” said Mr Syed, who works as a security officer. “We are scared to be on our own in the house.”

Mr Syed lives with his mother Zarila, 45, and his 16-year-old sister Shareen at the property.

The padlock holding the door in place (Image: Archant)

Mr Syed, who has never been burgled before, said the whole experience has been “terrifying” because the family feel so vulnerable.

He added: “The whole house is freezing - all you can feel is the wind coming in and you can smell the damp.

He claims just a padlock is keeping the door in place.

“You can easily just rip it off,” Mr Syed said. “Asra said they would get someone out to fix it properly but is has been weeks and weeks.”

Mr Syed said he is particularly concerned about his mother, who has suffered from three strokes in the past and has depression.

“If I leave my mum alone I do not know what might happen to her,” he added.

Asra confirmed it was looking into the reasons why the Syed family had been forced to wait so long for a permanent replacement door.

An Asra Housing Group spokesman added: “Although we are confident that the property was left secure and is secure we would like to apologise to our customer.”

Asra said it would remain in touch with the family “until the new doors are successfully fitted.”