A COUNCIL has vowed to take action again thugs who continue to target a troubled tower block.

For the 11th time in a year, contractors have been called in to repair lifts at Brooke House in Basildon town centre. In the latest incident, contractor Liftec had to shut down one of the two lifts because of dents in the doors on different floors, which meant they could not shut properly.

This is the latest in a long line of vandalism at Brooke House and Basildon Council estimates 70 per cent of maintenance call-outs are caused by vandals.

Phil Turner, deputy council leader and councillor for housing and landlord services, said: "It is estimated that around 70 per cent of the maintenance call outs about the lift breaking down are due to vandalism and this is not acceptable.

"The costs the council is having to bear is not acceptable and I am demanding that the tenants who are causing this damage and making the lives of their neighbours a misery be caught.

Phil Rackley, ward councillor, said: “The council is trying to do everything it can but there seems to be an element that is causing disruption. Fixing the lift is a long old job and I hope this doesn’t delay everything.”