A £10,000 security system has been installed in a block of council flats in Barton, Oxford, to prevent vandalism.

In the past 18 months, Oxford City Council has spent more than £5,000 on the Brome Place flats to repair damage caused by vandals.

This week, electronic security keys were given to residents, following incidents in which vandals smashed lights in hallways, started fires, sprayed graffiti and destroyed drainpipes.

Residents have claimed the four-storey building was a deathtrap at night because they could not navigate the concrete staircases without lights, which were destroyed by vandals on November 16.

The lights were replaced the following day by council staff, who hope the security system will prevent repeat attacks.

City council leader Alex Hollingsworth, who represents the Barton and Sandhills ward, said: "People shouldn't have to put up with this antisocial behaviour.

"I know it is making their lives a misery and costing taxpayers thousands of pounds to repair the damage."

The council's Crime and Nuisance Action Team is working with the residents.

Team manager Steve Kilsby said: "The council takes the problems in Brome Place very seriously.

"When we know who is responsible we will come down very hard on them.

"I know the effect this antisocial behaviour is having on people on the estate.

"The council is working with the police to gather evidence, but we still need people to tell us who is responsible."