An elderly Polish man living in warden-run sheltered housing was dead inside his flat for up to two weeks before anyone discovered him.

The body of the un-named 63-year-old man was discovered on February 24 at a flat in Gillett Road.

He was last seen two weeks before his death which is not being treated by police as suspicious.

Councillor Maggie Mansell, Labour spokeswoman for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “Two weeks is far too long to miss somebody. It is tragic, not just for the gentleman himself but his family.

“There should be an internal investigation into why this was allowed to happen.”

On the council's website, the 11-floor Gillett Road sheltered housing is described as a scheme which "enables tenants to live independently and safely with the knowledge that support in the form of a warden and a 24 hour emergency alarm system is provided."

When asked how a man in warden-run housing could have been dead for so long without anyone noticing, a council spokesman said: “The tenant who passed away was a particularly private individual.

"He was discovered on February 24, two weeks after he had last been seen by other residents and staff.

“Our officers respect it when tenants request as much independence as possible in such surroundings and endeavour to respect their wishes.

"In this case the tenant had made it very clear to wardens that he did not wish to receive visits.

“It’s not appropriate for us to comment any further on the circumstances save only to express our condolences to any family and friends.”

A police spokesman said: “We can confirm that police attended an address in Gillett Road, Thornton Heath, following concern for a local resident on 24 February 2010.

"Officers entered a flat, where a 63 year old man was found deceased.

"The death is being treated as non-suspicious.

"Police are attempting to contact next-of-kin."

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