A CAMPAIGNER was stunned by a string of horror stories as he launched a petition to help people living in four notorious tower blocks.

Prospective Tory councillor Del Thomas, 30, has so far spent five hours talking to terrified residents in Malvern, Pennine, Quantock, and Chiltern flats.

In that time, eight tenants told him they had been threatened with a knife and a man said he was forced into buying Class A drugs.

Many others were too scared to answer their doors, let alone talk with Mr Thomas, who is keen to become a Victoria ward councillor.

He said: ”Residents have commented to me how, when they first moved into these flats, they were some of the most beautiful buildings around. But all that has changed and now they are dirty, noisy and unsafe.

“Time and time again, residents of these flats have mentioned they don’t feel safe in their own homes.

“I heard lots of tales of how elderly residents have been threatened with knives for money and one resident told me he was ordered to go and buy some crack.

“It was a bit tricky, because people, obviously, are reluctant to open their door. But once they did, I spoke to them and they were very responsive and eager for change.”

Mr Thomas has already collected 110 signatures for a petition calling for CCTV and a concierge.

This falls in line with the Echo’s campaign, launched last month, calling for better security in the blocks to tackle drug dealers and violent criminals.

Mr Thomas said: “When I spoke to one of the caretakers, he said he would really value CCTV in the lifts.

“He has to clear them out five times a day because of the number of people who urinate in them, so he doesn’t have the time to carry out other maintenance repairs.”

Mr Thomas believes a concierge could combine with a CCTV system to keep out unwanted people.

He said: “Obviously, cost is an issue, but I know other areas which have a concierge system have managed to implement it with very little extra cost to residents.

“Also there have been savings made because maintenance bills have been reduced.”

Problems with drug-dealing and violence peaked last month when Christopher Ryan, 45, was found dead at his flat in Malvern.

John Nafzger, 39, of Westbury Road, Southend, and Christopher Walker, 23, of Manstead Gardens, Rochford, have been charged with his murder and robbing him of cannabis.

The pair, who are yet to enter pleas, have been remanded in custody.