Perth grandmother Gwen sleeps with a knife next to her bed. Her public housing neighbours have her terrified

Desperate neighbours of a public housing complex in Kelmscott are calling for help after a spate of violence, including an incident which left a young girl bashed and bruised.

The neighbours say a drug and alcohol epidemic is plaguing the housing complex and are fearful the violence will spill over into their homes.

Gwen Singh said she slept with a knife next to her bed: “I’ve had enough.”

The most heartbreaking incident saw a seven-year-old girl allegedly bashed by her stepfather for hours inside one of the Westfield Road units, leaving her with severe injuries.

“It was horrific because you can’t step in and do anything at fear of your own safety,” Singh said.

This 73-year-old grandmother said she was traumatised by the violence, and had been taken to hospital because of the stress.

Singh has lived in her unit for 30 years, but has never seen the state housing under siege like this.

“I was putting my bin out and got kicked in the back by a 14-year-old who was high as a kite on drugs,” she said.

Drugs, alcohol and sub-letting are allegedly contributing to the chaos in three of the homes.

One person staying at the units allegedly robbed a taxi driver at knifepoint last month, demanding money before fleeing.

Neighbour Scherri Richardson said the disruptive behaviour came at all hours of the day.

“You’re constantly on edge because you never know who’s pulling in and going to cause trouble,” she said.

Those living nearby fear the torment could turn deadly.

“We’ve put up with this for a long time now,” neighbour Graham Wallace said.

A Department of Communities spokesperson said the department took its role as a landlord seriously and proactively supported public housing tenancies.

“The department houses some of the most vulnerable members of our community and in the vast majority of cases, tenancy agreements are observed without concern or incident,” they said.

“Law and order issues or criminal matters, such as vandalism, should be reported to WA Police in the first instance, who are the appropriate authority to investigate criminal matters and concerns for citizen safety.

“Communities liaises with WA Police in relation to incidents that occur at its properties.

“Where it is proven that a tenant has caused or permitted disruptive behaviour, the appropriate action is taken in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 and the Disruptive Behaviour Management Strategy.”

WA Police have laid charges over the alleged attack on the seven-year-old girl and the alleged robbery of the taxi driver.

Nine News Perth