A young family who are desperate to leave their rented home say the anti-social behaviour that's blighting their lives has even caused harm to their baby.

Margaret Thorn moved with her 11-month-old son, Richie, and fiance, Shawn Oliver, to Tennyson Lodge in Maidstone five months ago.

They say they have found themselves living in the middle of a crime hotspot for drug-taking and violence and have experienced problems with neighbours.

Police have been called to the block multiple times and on one occasion the family could not get to their flat because officers had cordoned off the main entrance to the building.

Margaret said: "It stopped us from getting into our home so our baby missed a feed as we weren't able to get to his formula."

The couple, who moved from Ringlestone as they required another bedroom, are most concerned for Richie, who they say has been impacted by the stress and anxiety caused by their surroundings.

"An upstairs neighbour started putting the washing machine on in early hours in the morning," Margaret explained.

"I have told them something needs to be done about it. It's affecting us as a family."

"It keeps Richie up at night – scratching, shaking and he bursts out crying.

"We took him to the doctors as he kept scratching himself and shaking."

The issues have left the family feeling they have no other option but to find somewhere else to live.

Their plea to be rehomed has been backed up by a doctor's letter regarding Richie's health and their current housing situation.

It says: "His parents describe the area as noisy with evidence of drug use and police activity, which is causing the family a great deal of stress and anxiety.

"I would be very grateful if this could be taken into account when considering their application for rehousing."

Margaret says numerous complaints have been made to their landlord, West Kent Homes.

"I have told them something needs to be done about it. It's affecting us as a family," she said.

"They have come to our flat to check the noise and all they said was to keep noting it down.

"They only care about themselves and if their rent is being paid.

"We take all reports of antisocial behaviour of any form seriously, and believe all our residents deserve the right to live in their homes safely and in peace."

"I used to have post-natal depression which I took tablets for but came off them a couple of months ago. Now I'm worried it will come back again."

A West Kent Homes' spokesman said: "We're very sorry to hear one of our residents is experiencing anti-social behaviour at Tennyson Lodge.

"We take all reports of anti-social behaviour of any form seriously, and believe all our residents deserve the right to live in their homes safely and in peace.

"Although we cannot go into detail about individual cases, we do sympathise with our residents' situation.

"Our tenancy services and community safety teams are working in line with our community safety policy and procedures to resolve these concerns as quickly as possible."

Since the start of the year, 30 crimes have been reported in the area, according to the Kent Police website.

The couple have looked into moving out but they say their options are limited.

Margaret said: "We will keep trying but if we weren't able to move out I'd be really depressed.

"Our only option is signing up to Kent Homechoice again but it's pointless getting an exchange as no one likes these flats as there is too much trouble here with police raids and so on."