New update on my reclusive neighbours.....

Thanks for all your responses and sympathy, folks. It really helps.
These are for you

Are these people suffering from dementia? When I had clients of mine became a danger to their neighbours it was very difficult indeed - environmental health and the health service team for dementia sufferers would step in, but had limited powers. But I do think that getting the fire service on your side would be good.

These people are a danger to themselves and others and it is par for the course that they are in denial.

Do they have family you can contact?

Definitely vulnerable and regardless of their views the Safeguarding (Vulnerable Adults) Team can advise you as they are at risk and putting others at risk too.
The Fire Brigade do safety checks, give advice and install alarms, free of charge to the public, so contact your local Fire Station.

I looked up Oxfordshire/Vulnerable Adults and there are only things about abuse.....haven't found anything about them putting selves and others at risk!

Will contact Fire Brigade and Age UK tomorrow.

Dementia? I don't know. the only time I tried to talk to him about problems I felt he was on another planet....denial.

No family that I know of. No visitors.

It's still worth discussing it with them IMO, in Wiltshire the Team don't only deal with abuse.

Your MP might be very busy campaigning, Alie but then again he may be anxious to help or know someone who will help if he wants to be re-elected!

Good luck

Alie, those people next door are not good for your health - mental and physical. You need to report that incompetent Environmental Health Officer. I know you have reported him to your councillor. Perhaps a letter, copied to the Chief EHO and the member of the local council's cabinet with responisibility for EH. I'm all in favour of spreading the word in these situations. The more people who know about him, the less likely he is to be able to wriggle out of it. When the going gets tough, the tough write letters!

Yes, I'm a great believer in letters with lots of copies and cc names at the bottom, just to make it clear that you are not going to let anyone hide from you! I do hope you get a result soon. Have a or even a and a [hug]!

I will discuss this with everyone possible tomorrow - and when I get over the shock (I have definitely felt under the weather today) I will work out a letter. I'm still very angry.

((Hugs)) AlieOxon, take care x

Thanks again everyone. Goodnight!

I am assuming that you have adequate smoke and heat alarms - the latter is god as it might detect heat coming through the wall before any smoke appeared. Definitely get advice from the fire brigade as to how you can protect yourself.

good not god|!

I agree with those who emphasize the importance, when contacting officials, of putting these matters in writing (as succinctly as possible), rather than relying on phone calls (and keeping copies of all letters written). If there is a paper trail, it is not so easy for records of telephone attendances to be "mislaid" or communications ignored.

I contacted my MP when we were being threatened last year by one of our neighbours, we moved only about a month later. Get onto your MP, keep all records of what is said and letters sent and be firm. This needs sorting, now. And always get names of who you speak to, have pen and paper to hand when phoning anyone and write it all down. It's a pain, it should not be up to you to be doing all this and it is very annoying and upsetting but you have to safeguard yourselves. Take care.

Have been on the case this morning, an hour on the phone.
Finally got to the South Oxon Adult Social Care team, via Age UK. Gave my worries.I was told at the end…'there’s a team looking at it and there will be an action plan by the end of this afternoon.' Some reassurance.
Also I saw a food delivery next door, so someone is doing something now!

Trouble is, I am not in their loop as regards what is happening, in spite of being directly concerned as living in the same building...

Yes, I have smoke alarms and they are working. Is there a heat alarm that will go on a wall? I may take up the fire brigade's offer to check my house.
I am getting names and details of all the people and keeping a log, of which this thread is a part!

Age UK should have someone to answer their phone who sounds at least interested... I was nearly put off at the beginning!
The councillor is forwarding my suggestions re fire extinguisher etc to the man I want to complain about!
So postponing for the moment MP and complaints.
I am taking in everything suggested here, thanks again - Alie

I am not sure about the heat alarm but can see no reason why it should not be on a wall - ours is on the ceiling in the kitchen. It responds to heat, so if I burn the toast it does not go off!

You could just ring the fire service and ask for their advice about this - see if you are able to install one on the adjoining wall for a bit of peace of mind. They might even provide and fit one - worth a phone call I would think.

Yes, I now have a phone number for a community safety line so may try this tomorrow - thanks.

I have just had a fireman at the door - because next door didn't answer - and picked his brains a bit. He told me they are NOT going to leave the situation as it is, and mentioned possibility of an alarm next door linked to the station or even a sprinkler system!
They have now got smoke alarms.

After a few minutes of this the man next door opened his....and the fireman left before I could ask more questions!

Alie something is happening but not quite what you were hoping ie remove that pair to a place of safety at least 500 miles away from you. Let the council buy the house, do it up and install a "normal" family- sorted. If only life could be so simple.

But at the very least it looks as if steps are being taken to ensure the safety of neighbours. That has to be an improvement. You will be able to sleep easy in your bed.

Yes Charley, that was exactly what I wanted! Still do.

Not sleeping very easy at the moment....no electricity or gas next door and one of the things the fireman said was his worry about them using candles......

If I was in charge, I would get this house compulsorily purchased back by the council. The owners have, after all, signed an undertaking to keep it decent!

I must be getting bitter....