Domestic abuse victim felt ‘helpless’ after temporary accommodation locked down by armed police

A victim of domestic abuse has warned that councils are not taking the safety of survivors into consideration when housing them in emergency accommodation.

Last week, Lewisham High Street was locked down by armed police after a man was seen brandishing a knife from the window of his third floor flat.

In the room below, a victim of domestic abuse fled her home with her one-year-old daughter after hearing “banging and screaming”.

Anna, who asked not to give her real name, said: “When we got down to the ground floor, the fire brigade, the ambulance and the police were already there.

“When I looked up at the third floor, where the noises were coming from, I saw a man with a large knife, he was yelling and threatening that he was going to kill anyone, including his family, and that no one could come in.”

Cops advised Anna to take her child to Lewisham Leisure Centre, where she was assigned a hotel to stay for the evening until residents were allowed back into the building.

The stand-off continued for nearly 16 hours until police entered the property at around 2.30am the following morning.

A man was “safely detained” and taken to hospital following his arrest on suspicion of affray and threats to kill, police said.

Anna said: “I felt so vulnerable, so helpless.”

The single mother had been moved into the property by Lambeth council after becoming homeless in 2021. 

For the past four years the pair have been moved between five temporary accommodations by Lambeth council after making four successful suitability reviews.

She said: “This building is always very noisy with people fighting but I never thought it could go to that extreme with knives and threats.”

Anna and her daughter have been moved between Lambeth, Croydon and Lewisham, uprooted miles from their support networks.

She said: “The council made an assessment of my case and my needs as a domestic abuse survivor. But they didn’t check who else lives in the property.

“They put us in danger no matter what has happened to us.

“Instead of feeling supported, I feel more vulnerable and constantly afraid.”

In 2023, nearly 6,000 domestic abuse survivors were owed homelessness duties from London councils, an increase of more than 2,500 since 2018, data from the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) shows.

These duties help prevent homelessness or provide safe accommodation for at least six months to those who are already homeless.

An Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) for housing from national charity, Advance, said it is “vital” that councils take “all survivors’ needs” into account when housing them in emergency, temporary or long-term accommodation.

The IDVA said: “Domestic abuse (DA) survivors have experienced significant trauma and are in need of stability and safety.

“Alongside the abuse, survivors and their children may also be navigating complex needs such as poor mental health and post-traumatic stress.

“If they are housed in unsuitable accommodation, this could lead to risk of further abuse, risk of harm, and re-traumatization.”  

Lambeth provides temporary accommodation for more than 4,700 homeless households every night, at a cost of more than £100million a year.

As of last year, there were 38, 131 households on the local authorities waiting list for social housing, the second highest in the capital behind Newham.

A Lambeth council spokesman said: “We are committed to providing the most suitable accommodation available to everyone who comes to us needing a roof above their heads. 

“But the shortage of affordable housing across London means councils face significant challenges.

“In this case, the placement was made following a suitability assessment. 

“We carefully consider a range of factors, including individual needs and available properties, before making any placement.

“We take any concerns about safety seriously and encourage residents to report any issues so that we can work with landlords, the police, and other relevant agencies, as necessary.”

If you are a victim of domestic abuse or violence and in need of support, visit: https://www.advancecharity.org.uk/

Pictured top: Police during a stand-off in Lewisham High Street after a man was seen brandishing a knife out of the window of a building on February 10 (Picture: PA Images/Alamy)