Drug users and criminals have been causing more trouble around the Ivybridge estate since the concierge service was removed, a residents' group has claimed.

Ivytag has launched a petition asking Hounslow Homes, who run the estate, to reinstate the service.

The group believes that the new neighbourhood wardens assigned to patrol the estate have not been doing their jobs properly.

More than 300 residents have already signed the petition.

But Hounslow Homes, which cut the services last year, countered that the number of anti-social behaviour cases reported on the Ivybridge estate has dropped 37 per cent since the wardens were introduced in December 2005.

Simon Anderson, chair of Ivytag, said: "Since the concierge service was removed, there has been a high level of drug taking on the stairs and needles have also been found.

"Fire exit doors have also been smashed up.

"People are just too scared to come out of their homes now.

"If Hounslow Homes refuse, they are very silly. All the residents want the concierge back because they feel that crime is going up."

Councillor Phil Andrews, lead member for housing and community safety at Hounslow Council and head of the Isleworth Community Group (ICG), pledged to work to bring back the concierge.

He said: "People have expressed their concerns to me.

"The absence of the concierge has lead to deterioration in the blocks. I am keen to see it reinstated."

Residents approved the move towards using wardens instead of the concierge service to provide security, Hounslow Homes said.

They added that extra door security and a new CCTV system would be put in place after January 2007.

Up to last year, Easedale House was covered by a 24-hour concierge service.