Terrified residents have been left in fear of their lives after a “campaign of terror” saw fires set at the doors of their South Ockendon homes.

Residents said they found themselves trapped with the exit doors of their flats in Derwent Parade barricaded with wooden planks and fires burning outside.

The fires are part of a string of incidents at the blocks to which police and firefighters have been called to, which residents say has including assault, drug taking and vandalism.

Residents have attributed the incidents to a gang of up to 30 youths who have been “terrorising the block”.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Residents are getting desperate asking for help.

“One day I’d just got in from work and saw some youths run across our landing. We didn’t realise until we heard the sirens. My partner had to kick down the doors to get out into the corridor and there was a lot of smoke coming in."

They added: “Residents are getting scared to go out, and I am worried people will try to face them in desperate need to put an end to it and help us sleep at night.

Ockendon ward Councillor Barry Johnson said a lack of police action was “not acceptable.”

He said: “It’s shocking what’s going on. The police have a duty to tackle this directly and the council needs to work with the police and fire to give them any tools, like public space protection orders, to allow them to do their job.”

Councillor Jane Pothecary, in charge of public protection, said: “Police need to be in a position where they can act on the concerns of our residents to make sure we are kept safe.”

A police spokeswoman said an operation had been underway since October to counter anti-social behaviour, involving plain-clothed and uniformed officers, with “many” youths apprehended.

She said: “Residents can be assured that measures are in place to tackle the issue working together with local agencies.”

She added Community Policing Team patrols will continue in conjunction with the Thurrock Council ASB Team.