A MOTHER from Basingstoke has been without a secure front door since November when her home was broken into.

Sixty-three-year-old Margaret Hotston, who lives in Basing View on Basingfield Close, is currently living in a property with a door that “lets lots of light in”.

Margaret, who suffers from severe Asthma is scared and does not feel safe without a secure door.

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She said: “If you stand inside my house and look at the front door you can see daylight all the way around it. Somebody tried to break into my house in November last year and I phoned the police up and they said they could not find anybody and the case was closed.

“In the meantime, I have been trying to fight with the council for the door.”

Ms Hotston said that her original door was damaged during the incident.

She added: “The council came round when it happened and put a bolt on the top of the door and the bottom of the door but the door was already ruined and it would not lock properly.

“I was a bit worried, so I went outside and got a big clump of wood and put it against the door because I was scared being here on my own. It has been like this since and it has been so cold.

“They have put a door on there but there is still a gap all the way round and I have been asking for a new door since November.”

After communicating with Sovereign Housing she was told they should come and measure the door but has been left waiting months.

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She added: “I can only use the back door and I would feel safer if I had a front door on and when I am sitting here sometimes on my own every noise seems louder than it is.”

Sovereign Housing, have said they are due to replace the door tomorrow, Tuesday, 22 February.

Darren Mealings, operations director for Sovereign, said: “We’re sorry for the delay taken arranging to fit a new front door for Mrs Hotston. When this was first reported to us we responded promptly and fitted a temporary door. Unfortunately, the combination of Covid restrictions and a materials shortage has hampered our progress and we haven’t been able to remedy this as speedily as we would have liked. A new door is being fitted this week (Tuesday 22 February).”

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Kimberley Barber.