Here are two stories from London, UK in which enterprising squirrels have made semi-redundant scaffolding their home and used it to enter apartments to find food to the consternation of the residents.
Sumner Buildings
Here’s the report on the “Scaffolding Turns Cheeky Squirrels into Cat Burglars” at Sumner Buildings on the South Bank in London:
Brazen squirrels have found an unconventional use for the scaffolding on the Sumner Buildings housing estate in central London, right next to the Tate Modern. These furry little creatures have turned the scaffolding into their own personal ladder for mischief.
Residents of the Sumner Buildings have been witnessing a curious phenomenon. Initially, the scaffolding was merely an innocuous structure, but it has now become a gateway for both squirrels and potential intruders. Here’s what’s been happening:
- Squirrel Shenanigans: The scaffolding, which was likely intended for maintenance or construction, has become a playground for the local squirrel population. These cheeky squirrels are using it as a convenient route to climb into people’s windows.
- Food Heists: Once the squirrels reach the windows, they’re not just there for the view. They’ve been stealing residents’ food! Imagine waking up to find a squirrel nibbling on your breakfast cereal or raiding your snack stash.
- Unexpected Cat Burglars: But it doesn’t end with squirrels. The scaffolding has also attracted human intruders. Just like the situation in Thurrock, criminals have been exploiting the structure to access unlocked windows. Residents have reported seeing people pushing at windows as high up as the upper floors.
- Safety Concerns: The residents are understandably concerned. They want to feel safe in their homes, but the scaffolding has become an unintended invitation for both squirrels and potential burglars. It’s a bizarre twist where everyday structures have taken on unexpected roles.
While the squirrel antics might be amusing, the security risks are no laughing matter. Let’s hope the estate management takes swift action to address this peculiar situation and restore peace of mind for the residents.
Thurrock from 2023
In Thurrock, a tower block has become an unexpected playground for both squirrels and potential intruders. The scaffolding, which has been left in place for months due to a dispute between Thurrock Council and its contractor, Axis, has inadvertently transformed into a ladder for mischief.
Residents of the Seabrook Estate tower block flats in Thurrock have witnessed a curious evolution. Initially, children used the scaffolding as an impromptu climbing frame. However, things took a darker turn when criminals began exploiting the structure to access unlocked windows. These daring individuals have been seen pushing at windows as high up as the sixth and seventh floors.
Tragically, an incident occurred earlier this month where a man lost his life, allegedly involving a group of men who climbed up to one of the flats using the scaffolding. Essex Police is treating this death as suspected murder, and several individuals are currently on police bail pending further inquiries.
Leoni Ward, a lone parent residing in the tower block, described feeling “vulnerable” and “trapped.” Her neighbor caught a would-be intruder attempting to open her windows from the outside. As a single woman with two children, Leoni’s sense of safety has been shattered. Robert Gordon, another resident, aptly compared the scaffolding to “ladders for cat burglars.” He expressed concern about nighttime activities, emphasizing that people should feel secure in their homes.
The community has called on the council to promptly remove the scaffolding to restore peace of mind. It’s a situation where everyday structures have taken on unexpected roles, turning cheeky squirrels into unwitting accomplices in this urban drama.
Source: Also, the BBC.
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