A family, who are living in a house with broken windows and being terrorised at night by men in balaclavas, have spoken of how "scared" they are after being moved hundreds of miles from home to County Durham.
Juan Flores and his family were moved from London to Ferryhill into a house with smashed windows, graffiti on the exterior, and a broken door.
They say they were “forced” to sign a 24-month tenancy agreement when they arrived.
Since moving in they have been intimidated by men in balaclavas at night coming into their back yard and peering into their windows.
Hounslow Council has advised that the family should contact them directly or the local police and support agencies.
Mr Flores described how his family are "terrified" and how they want nothing more than to move back down to London.
The 48-year-old said: “We are not happy because the house is not good.
“In the past people have trafficked drugs in the house. We heard that there was cocaine and alcohol being sold here.
“We lived in Hounslow before we were moved up here. There are broken windows, graffiti on the house and men come in balaclavas. They have shouted at us.
“We are scared and terrified. We just want to move back down to London. We had friends there.”
“I’m worried for my son and daughter. It’s been very hard living here.”
Citizens Advice County Durham has confirmed that they are currently working with people across the county who have been moved up from London.
A spokesperson said: "We are concerned that people living in the south of England are being relocated to County Durham on false promises where proper processes do not appear to be being followed.
"We are helping more people in a wide demographic area within the County who are arriving with absolutely nothing but a list of support services who are already under pressure to ensure local residents' needs are met.
"We are currently researching and collecting more evidence on this issue."
Hounslow Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Homelessness, Cllr Sue Sampson, said: “We cannot comment on individual cases, however, if the issues are reported directly to the council, we will endeavor to provide the appropriate support.
"Alternatively, the individual should contact the local police and support agencies within their new locality.
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"Issues around property standards should be reported to their new landlord.”
Cllr James Rowlandson, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, said: "Whilst councils are able to place households in another local authority area, we believe that it is not right to move anyone more than 250 miles to a new and unfamiliar location and without a support network.
"We will be contacting Hounslow Council to raise this issue and will look to provide this family with the support they need, as we do in every case."
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