A DISABLED mum whose sheltered accommodation council flat was attacked by vandals claims she had to wait four days for a warden to respond to her alarm call.
Williamina McConnell, who lives alone in St Paul's Court, Oswaldtwistle, was terrified when bricks were hurled through her living room windows in the early hours of Sunday.
The mum-of-five, who is wheelchair-bound and has to use an oxygen machine for up to 18 hours a day, immediately dialled 999 and used the pull-cord intercom system to alert Hyndburn Council's contractors Eldercare. But although her call was answered, it wasn't until the following Wednesday that a warden actually visited her flat.
Ms McConnell, 46, who pays more than £300 a year towards the warden scheme, said that since the windows were smashed, she has been too scared to go into her living room and now hopes to be re-housed.
She also blasted Hyndburn Council for expecting her to pay more than £200 for the replacement of the windows, which was carried out on Wednesday. A new intercom system has also been installed.
She said: "I was just going to sleep when I heard a crash from the living room. It frightened me to death - I thought someone was coming to get me.
"I pulled the lifeline cord straight away, dialled 999 and rang my son, Trevor, who lives in Fern Gore. He got here before the police arrived. But nobody rang back over the intercom to check if I was all right and the warden didn't come round until Wednesday morning.
"I'm disgusted - it costs me £6.39 a week for the warden scheme and I'm just not getting the care I'm paying for. I don't feel safe here anymore."
Ms McConnell's daughter Annie said she and the rest of the family were furious.
"We're very disappointed," she said. "At the end of the day, someone should have been there. What would have happened if someone had been coming into the house?
"My brother has been staying with her since it happened but he shouldn't have to."
Rona Courtney, housing business manager for Hyndburn Council, said: "We fully sympathise with Ms McConnell's position and are currently looking into the reasons for the delay in the contractors responding to her intercom call.
"It would appear that upon speaking to Mrs McConnell, Eldercare were satisfied she had sufficient support in the form of the police and her son, and that no further action was necessary.
"We will, however, be looking into whether Ms McConnell asked for the warden to visit, and if so, why this was not passed on. We take residents' safety very seriously and take all necessary steps to ensure they feel secure in their homes."
