People in one Merseyside town are living a "nightmare" as fireworks are aimed at cars and items "set on fire".
Neighbours have expressed their frustration in recent weeks following an apparent increase in anti-social behaviour in Halewood. Right across the town, fireworks are being set off at "all hours" and items are set on fire at local fields, hindering sporting activities.
One person, who wished to not share their name, told the ECHO: "You've got gangs setting off fireworks on the field, you can't go out past 6pm with the dogs or kids because you don't know what will happen. The noise is constant until late at night and it's every single night, the dogs are terrified, the children are terrified but it's only a matter of time until someone is injured.
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"It's that time of year again and it's a shame, someone is going to get hurt. You've got kids mouthing off, causing damage to things, setting fire to things, being nuisances, it's an absolute nightmare.
"There's people in this community that do all they can to make it the lovely place that it is but you have the few who ruin it for the many. They are destroying our community and ruining it for themselves as well as everyone else. It's that time of year where that behaviour returns."
Questions have been asked as to where youths are buying fireworks from and why they are "causing mayhem" in the town. However others suggested it was "not just Halewood, it's an issue everywhere".
Another resident added: "Apparently it's kids setting fireworks off on all the fields, Hollies Road and Torry backie, they are apparently aiming them at cars, it happens every year. How are they getting them? They sound like bombs and it's scaring animals in their own homes."
One person said: "The field off Wood Road, kids are firing fireworks into the road at cars and pedestrians, so far around 6pm to around 10pm. Considering the cost of them, where are they getting money from to pay for them? And their stupidity is beyond belief."
Over in Macket's Lane, some businesses also appear to be experiencing issues with anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. One shop worker said: "We are a convenience store so we have usual issues of shoplifting and crime and that is going on from a young age, rather than adults. It's not about the money but the police don't seem to do much to stop it."
Following complaints from residents regarding anti-social and criminal behaviour at the town's leisure centre on Bailey's Lane, officers from the Knowsley policing team confirmed extra patrols would be carried out. Over the weekend, the force confirmed they had received "multiple reports".
Posting on social media, a spokesperson said: "Officers have been providing extra attention to Halewood Leisure Centre following multiple reports of youths engaging in anti-social behaviour. This includes, criminal damage, verbal abuse and refusing to leave the grounds. Please could parents and guardians check what your children are up to when they’re out and about."
However, there are concerns elsewhere in Halewood after reports of damage to a field, well used for sporting activities. "Reckless" behaviour saw a bin set on fire at the field near Hollies Hall last month.
The damage has made the area unsafe, hindering the activities of a local football club, as well as being "very expensive to clear". Halewood Town Council urged residents to understand the devastating consequences such acts can have on a community and the impact on others.
A spokesman for the council told the ECHO : "Halewood Town Council was alarmed at the reckless behaviour of some persons in burning the ground at Hollies Field in the township.
"The situation was even more disappointing as the area scorched by these individuals was on the football pitches used by the local teams playing under the banner of Kingsthorne Juniors Football Club. The Town Council was grateful for the rapid response of its Grounds Maintenance Service (provided by Knowsley MBC) in clearing up the mess, through the surface area remains burnt. Messages have been posted asking people to be mindful of the impact of these actions and the consequences it can bring."
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