RESIDENTS in a Staincliffe cul-de-sac say that CCTV and more police patrols are the only way to make them feel safe in their own homes.
Gangs of Asian youths are continuing to plague elderly and disabled residents in Manor Way.
The Press highlighted residents’ fears last September but police promises to increase patrols at the top of Manor Way, close to Manorfields Infants School, have failed to deter the troublemakers.
The yobs, aged from about 16 upwards, drink, take drugs, hurl abuse at the residents and vandalise their cars and homes.
“We’ve had another three cars damaged in the last three weeks,” said residents’ spokesman Tony Gott, 71. “The police come up once in a while but they don’t do anything, often they don’t even get out of their car.”
Early on Saturday evening three yobs attacked the car of disabled couple Mick and Judie Troughton, repeatedly jumping on the bonnet and smashing the windscreen.
“It was parked right outside our house, it’s just not fair that we should have to live like this,” said Judie.
“We’re disabled but this shouldn’t happen to any of us and I can’t sleep through worrying about what could happen next.”
Two other cars have also been attacked in the last three weeks and fellow resident Brenda Battle says she dare not leave her car outside her home after it was damaged several times.
“Even my sons are dubious about leaving their vehicles outside for short periods of time,” she said.
“One had his window smashed after parking outside for just 15 minutes when he came to see me. They were all just stood there, laughing at us, but we can’t fight back because we don’t know what might happen to us.
“I’ve had my car damaged five times and they’ve even stolen my number plates.”
Brenda Pollard has lived on the street for 18 years and says that the yob problem is the worst it’s ever been.
“We’re at the limit of what we can take,” she said. “There was a bit of a lull when the police patrols came up here, but they seem to have petered out and the gangs are back worse than ever.”
Mr Gott added: “We need CCTV up here, that’s the only way we can think of to solve this.
“We need more police patrols and cameras so that they’ll think twice.”
Batley and Birstall Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Neil Money said patrols would continue and called on parents to name and shame the yobs.
Insp Money said action had been taken. An 18-year-old boy was stopped and searched and was due to appear in court for possessing an offensive weapon.
A teenage girl was also cautioned for possession of cannabis.
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