TERRIFIED residents have told how they’ve been left fearing for their safety after it emerged addicts were using their high-rise stairwell to consume drugs.

Paraphernalia, including spoons filled with residue, needle packets and wipes, were discovered on the stairs of the building on Tuesday evening.

Residents, which are made up of a mix of homeowners and Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) tenants, say it’s not the first time this has occurred and, despite the items being cleared immediately, it’s left them frightened to use communal areas.

One pensioner, who has lived in the Tinwald Path flats for almost 30 years and asked not to be named, said: “I’ve always preferred to use the stairs as opposed to the lift but now you worry who you’ll bump into.

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“The stairway door is right next to our rubbish shoot and drying area so, it’s terrifying to think you’ll go to hang out a washing and bump into someone shooting up.

“This building is mostly pensioners with a few young families. These people don’t live here but there’s no security so, anyone can come in.”

The Hillington building is littered with posters reminding residents not to buzz people they don’t know into the building, however, residents claim they’ve asked for more stringent security measures and have been let down.

One woman in her 70s can’t hear her own buzzer speaker due to its lack of compatibility with her hearing aid, however, despite calls for a new device, it’s never been fully repaired meaning she has no way to screen potential visitors.

A lengthy “service hours” operation allows free access to the GHA-owned building for tradespeople, but residents claim they’ve asked for this to be scrapped due to security fears, yet no changes have been made.

Night-time patrols are in operation, however, this week’s events took place in the afternoon which residents claim is proof it’s not enough.

A mum who lives in the building said: “I would never let my child go up or down the stairs without me and that shouldn’t be a concern. It’s a constant worry of who will get into the building.

“We all try our best and we’re quite close as neighbours but, it feels like all the GHA are doing is telling us we could be doing more.”

A spokesperson for GHA said: “Our concierge quickly removed these items from the stairwell, cleaned the area and alerted the police. This is now a matter for the police.

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“Our concierges will continue to patrol the blocks during the day and at night, our specialist antisocial behaviour staff will contact residents and our home safety team will also visit to give residents general advice on staying safe at home. We’ll also repair the buzzer for the resident with the hearing aid as soon as possible.

“We always want our customers to feel safe and secure in their own home. Anyone who has any concerns should get in touch and we’ll continue to do all we can to help.”