Our neighbours are millionaires but we can’t afford to put food on the table as costs soar – it’s horrendous
FAMILIES living next to rich renters in multi-million pound flats can barely afford to put food on the table.
Locals on Kingston's Cambridge Estate often rely on foodbanks to get by as costs soar.
And life outside their front doors is no easier, with residents living in fear amid rampant drug and knife crime.
Meanwhile, down the road in affluent Kingston Upon Thames, houses costing up to £10MILLION are on offer for the country's wealthiest.
A fifth of its 1,037 deluxe properties are priced at .
Residents revealed to The Sun what life is like in their hard-hit area.
One local - who wished to remain anonymous for fear of backlash by local thugs - said: "I'm frightened to go out my front door, especially when it's dark."
"In the summer months, stairways and stairwells have been used to sell drugs.
"Those are their preferred places."
I'm frightened to go out of my own front door, especially when it's dark
Cambridge Estate resident
Her neighbour told how the cost of living makes life tough.
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The woman, who declined to give her name, added: "A lot of people who work at the hospital and live here...they work all hours God gives and they're still struggling to get food.
"They are using food banks."
Local Kingsley added: "Drugs is a big issue and it's very noticeable."
"We have a Ring doorbell which is constantly going off.
";In the summer they turn up in their Ubers, run up the stairwells and come scattering out a little afterwards.
"I'd honestly say they (drugs) are the main issue on the estate.
"This door was bashed in before we'd moved in..
"And doors by police get marked and unless the police know those residents have moved out, I don't know if my door is going to get bashed in because they don't know I live here."
The run-down high rises, located a short walk from Norbiton train station, have contended with crime for a number of years.
A reported published by Public Health Kingston and Kingston Hospital that the estate constitutes 20 per cent of the most deprived neighbourhoods in England and is the most
deprived neighbourhood in Kingston.
The report also details the horrific quality of life its inhabitants endure.
Compared to the rest of Kingston, health is a pressing issue and is aggravated by living conditions on the estate - lowering life expectancy.
Child poverty is also common, with a third of children born into low-income families.
When reached for comment, a spokesman from Kingston Council said:
“Kingston is one of the safest boroughs in London and we are committed to making it even safer.
"Our approach is rooted in partnership work, prevention and early intervention.
"We are investing in programmes to provide opportunities for young people, their families and the local community, working with the Police to investigate crimes and bring offenders to justice, and with partner agencies to improve confidence to report incidents.
“We are committed to ensuring people in Kingston have a safe and comfortable place to live.
"Key to this is the regeneration of the Cambridge Road Estate.
"The programme will deliver more than 2,100 sustainable homes, 940 of which will be affordable, along with community facilities, and jobs and training for local people.
"As well as providing vital new local homes, the development will also enhance the design of the estate so it is a greener, more pleasant place to live and visit, and less susceptible to criminal and anti-social behaviour.
"We recognise this is a challenging time, with the national cost of living crisis meaning increasing costs for everyone.
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"We are working with partners to build resilience in our communities and boost access to support for our residents and businesses.
"We’ve opened a network of warm spaces offering free wifi, computers, advice and guidance and games for children."
