Frustrated residents on Worcester Street are calling on the Christchurch City Council to show the same level of interest in helping residents feel safe “as they do when it comes to cycleways.”

The property at 226 Worcester Street was abandoned follow the 2011 earthquake.

One neighbour told Chris Lynch Media the house has been involved in two house fires “and more recently squatters have taken refuge inside the property.”

“The front yard is full of junk, overgrown weeds and is pretty much an eyesore in the community. It has clearly been abandoned.”

He said “the police have been contacted numerous times about the squatters and nothing has been done and now it seems there are three homeless people who live permanently outside the property.”

Chris Lynch visited the house this week.

A used needle, soiled sheets, used toilet paper, and a strong smell of urine came from the property.

A nearby resident said Fire and Emergency crew were also notified due to the junk in the front yard being a fire risk.

The resident says “the council should really be aware of this property and either find the owner and get the damn house demolished or the council take ownership of the property and do something about it.“

Chris Lynch spoke to several neighbours who were too scared to appear on camera following police callouts to the address.

Council Head of Regulatory Compliance Tracey Weston said council staff are aware of the history associated with this property and have recently received a new complaint, which we are currently investigating. 

“We are working together with other agencies to address issues relating to this property. As this is a current investigation we cannot comment further at this time.”