Elderly people in a sheltered housing scheme are said to be living in fear after the block’s master key was stolen and there were two thefts from residents’ rooms.

The keys went missing from Brightwell Court in MacKenzie Road, Holloway, between January 13 and 14.

A woman who claimed to work at the home, but wished to remain anonymous, contacted the Gazette with concerns that housing association Circle Support had still not changed the locks on the 35 flats.

She said: “Residents are putting chairs under their door handles at night because they’re scared.

“They’re living in fear. It’s frightening. I wouldn’t want any relative of mine living there.”

Islington Police said they were alerted to the key theft on January 14. On February 10, a 72-year-old man at the home reported �100 missing and, between February 13 and 27, a 73-year-old woman had �50 stolen.

In both cases there was no sign of forced entry.

A spokesperson from Circle Support said it was continuing to work closely with the police to ensure the safety and security of Brightwell Court residents and their carers.

She continued: “Advice has been provided in relation to personal safety and building security, and residents declined the offer of an on-site security guard.

“The building also has a separate controlled access system and our contractors will be on site shortly to replace the master key and the ‘suited’ locking system.

“The system is complex and has been purpose built and takes some time to manufacture.” She added that any use of the missing key would have been captured by CCTV, but it had shown “no unusual movement in the building” since the key theft.

Anyone with information on the thefts should call the Burglary Squad on 020 7421 0150 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.