AS Barrow's new police inspector vows to tackle a long-standing crime hotspot, locals have said the town council needs to bite the bullet and tear down the modern day "slums".

Inspector Jim Bailey, of Barrow police, has made the bold claim that given six months he could "address the issues in Egerton Court".

However, following a possible arson at the beleaguered block of flats campaigners in Barrow Island have said it is a lost cause. The best thing for the town and community would be to tear the buildings down.

Dave Armistead has long advocated for the troubled estate to be removed. He said: "Back in 2005-2006 we had the West Lake Renaissance waterfront project which was Barrow and Cumbria County Council, and North West Regional Development Agency led.

"They interviewed our community via various public meetings. They asked our community a number of questions, we as a community wanted the Egerton buildings demolished as it was then a drugs den full of criminals."

Council officials have set up a task force to confront the persistent problems that afflict Egerton Court and Barrow Island.

However, Councillor Dave Pidduck, leader of Barrow Borough Council, said there was no quick fix for what needed to be achieved in the community.

He said: "It's quite easy for people to say knock them down move the people out and shove them somewhere else. But the costs would be absolutely difficult for us.

"If the council looked at compulsory purchase you're looking at monopoly money. The way to deal with it is by working with our partners."

Mr Armistead discounts the council's approach saying it lacks the political will to do what needs to be done.

He said: "They are blaming Tory cuts. They have the power to demolish this Victorian slum which is blocking a very good community. We have droves of dead heads every morning streaming out of Egerton to get their methadone fix. Dead heads literally trolled out of their heads in their pyjamas getting cans of beer and cider everyday not adding any value to our community."

The most recent incident to hit Egerton Court was a suspected arson carried out in the early hours of Friday morning.

Three fire engines fought the blaze which started around 4.30am in a fortunately abandoned top floor flat.

As of Friday afternoon the investigation was ongoing by police and fire investigators to determine the cause of the fire.