Covert camera demand to catch lift poo culprit
8:30am Tuesday 3rd April 2012 in Where I Live By Mark Chandler
Andrew Scotter & Terry Liddle
COVERT cameras and forensic tests are needed to flush out the culprit who has been pooing, urinating and vomiting in lifts on an almost daily basis this year.
That's the call from people living in a block of flats in Eltham who are fed up with the filth inside two elevators at Soweby Close.
Greenwich Council has blamed the mess on a dog, but at a meeting last week, calls were made for forensic tests on the poo, which residents are confident will prove it is manmade.
Terry Liddle, 63, who made the demand, said: "If it's a dog it must have incredibly large bowels and a very large bladder."
He said: "People go out for an evening, get bladdered and, when they get in the lift, deliberately or otherwise, lose control of their bodily functions and let fly."
Mr Liddle has kicked up a stink with a 20-signature petition calling for a covert camera, similar to one used three years ago when the block faced a similar problem.
The retired welfare rights worker suffers from arthritis, and like many others living there, relies on the lifts.
He said: "The people it has the worst impact on are older people and people with disabilities who have no choice but to use it.
"Either you just turn round and go home again or you have to hold your nose and face it."
David Parker, 62, who lives on the seventh floor, said: "The caretaker does a very good service but of course, the problem is when you hit the evenings and weekends."
Greenwich Council says covert cameras cannot be installed when there is no clear evidence of a criminal act.
Cabinet member for housing Councillor Steve Offord said: "I'd encourage residents to share any information they have with us and that can be in the strictest confidence."
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