Neighbours' shock at harassment claims

Orbit tenants Jason and Zoe Ingram told the Observer last week that their lives were made misery by complaints ranging from their children being noisy to Jason's vehicles being parked in the road, as well as allegations of street trading.

They resorted to putting up a sign on their front lawn asking their accusers to give them a break.

However neighbours have this week responded by giving their side and say they are in the process of starting a Neighbourhood Watch so any future problems can be immediately addressed.

They say they have called Sussex Police "numerous" times to deal with arguments and fights between Mr Ingram and other members of the Close.

They also claim up to six vehicles block the street sometimes, forcing other householders to park elsewhere.

One "concerned" resident said: "I have lived in Ian Close for more than nine years, having had no problems with neighbours before. I feel there are two sides to every story and you have only portrayed one view.

"We have struggled to park - due to a very large lorry with stock cars on it."

PC Rob Shaw of the Neighbourhood Police Team has now visited Ian Close to talk to residents about the way forward '“ around 14 of them are ready to work together as a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

An Ian Close resident said this week: "It's all very well one person coming to the Observer to say they have a grievance.

"People outside reading it now they think they know... and obviously it gets talked about. There might be sympathy for the Ingrams, and that is why we had to say (our side of the story]."

He again highlighted the problem of the lorry and vehicles in the Close which he said was "anti-social."

He added: "We don't mind living with them as long as they are considerate to everybody else in the Close.

"We don't mind Mr and Mrs Ingram being involved in the Neighbourhood Watch. It will be a committee that will air any grievances we have about the street."

Asked if he was optimistic about the future he said: "No."

"It will quieten down.

"It would be nice if it stayed like that and everybody would be happy but it won't. We will go back to before without doubt.

"It will be like it was in the past... but you never know, we live in hope."

Inspector James Scott of Bexhill Police commented: "We are working very closely with the community in Ian Close to establish a Neighbourhood Watch scheme to help bring about a sense of community in the area.

"PB Rob Shaw and PCSO Adam Cox will be helping them do this.

"We are also working with Orbit Housing to see what we would do about longer term problems."