RESIDENTS living in Breakback Road flats in Bromsgrove were shocked to find a note left on their front door by BDHT, which they say 'advertised' it was open.

The note informed residents that the lock to the entrance door, which had been vandalised, had now been changed, and that the door had been left on the latch.

It read: "Today we have changed the lock to this ent door. I have posted you a new key and left this door on the latch. Can the last one in tonight unlatch? Thanks."

One resident of the flats, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "With crime in this area I am surprised at this slap-dash approach to security. Leaving a sign on the door advertising it open to anybody passing is an irresponsible breech of security that left us, our flats and valuables vulnerable all day.”

Councillor Michael Thompson, who represents the Rock Hill ward, said: "I was surprised when residents contacted me about this. It seems sensible for keys to have been cut beforehand and left with the residents, with a date, in the future, when the lock would be changed. That way the premises would not have to be left unsecured.”

But BDHT say they are "flabbergasted" they are being criticised for a "prompt and pragmatic response" to the problem.

Chief executive Mike Brown said: "The lock concerned is for the communal door. All residents have their own, secure front doors. Within a very short time of being notified of the vandalised lock, we changed it and provided each resident with a new key. This wasn't planned in advance because it was a reactive response to a problem."

But the same anonymous resident said that they were not informed the locks had been vandalised.

They said: "If the door was vandalised, as BDHT has now said, then they have a responsibility to inform the residents. As a resident, this is the first I have heard of it. In addition, if BDHT are so prompt in their service, it does not explain why damage and vandalism to the rear door - which was reported some time ago - has still not been fixed."