TERRIFIED residents hid in their flats as a gang of youths tore through their tower block, armed with golf clubs, crowbars and baseball bats.

All the internal windows in the communal spaces from the ground to the sixth floor were smashed.

On Monday, workmen from Orbit South Housing Association were preparing to replace the 75 reinforced glass panels.

As the attack on Ochard House in Northend Road, Erith, began at around 10.30pm on Sunday night, Bexley police were receiving calls from panicking residents.

When officers arrived, the gang was nowhere to be seen, but one resident claimed they were hiding elsewhere in the block.

Residents have been complaining for several years about problems in Orchard House, including drunks, drug addicts and vandals.

The 75-flat block used to be home to mainly older tenants, but in recent years, Orbit has moved more younger people in, and many residents claim this is partly to blame for the block's problems.

Another resident told News Shopper: "Things have been quiet for the past couple of months.

"We had thought the situation was improving."

She added: "Orbit puts single young people in here.

"They go out, get drunk and upset someone, who then comes looking for them in Orchard House."

She described life in Orchard House as "a living hell".

It was suggested the gang on Sunday night were looking for a young resident living in the block.

Bexley police say they are investigating the incident and that officers from North End's Safer Neighbourhoods team will be visiting residents.

A spokesman for Orbit South said the housing association was liaising with the police and residents and reviewing CCTV footage from Sunday night.

She said indications were the attack was not connected to previous incidents at the block.

After problems earlier this year, Orbit promised an upgrade of the CCTV and a new entry system, but residents claim neither has materialised.

Orbit said the entry system was not damaged on Sunday night during the attack.