A camera catches the moment a teenager in a hooded jacket casually walks up to a car and uses a rock to smash its back window. After committing the mindless act, the boy and a friend run off.
Another video shows a much larger gang of teens gathering outside a shop. The gang all have faces covered and hoods up, they are clearly targeting a specific business. Some of the group can then be seen kicking the shop windows and throwing items at it before running away.
These clips give an insight into the violence and intimidation that has been blighting an area of north Liverpool for months. The footage was passed to the ECHO by one of a number of shop owners who have been targeted by the gang and who have reported suffering racist abuse.
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This weekend we reported on a grim and deeply concerning situation that has been playing out in the Broadway shopping area of Norris Green for months. Business owners told of countless incidents involving large gangs of teenagers gathering outside their stores - smashing windows, harassing staff and aiming racist abuse at them.
The business owner said: "The trouble has carried on, pretty much every night for three months. Each time we would call the police, they would come with the sirens on and the kids would run away, then they would come back later. Three of my staff have left because of this, one staff member was assaulted and another had their car windows smashed. I have had staff in tears very often."
Another business owner, of Pakistani heritage, said he has been repeatedly targeted with racial slurs and told 'to go back to his own country.' He added: "There has been lots of racist abuse. If you look at the businesses being targeted, it is 100% racial. These are hate crimes."
One of the shop owners said he believes things have become 'lawless' in the area. He added: "I have had the business here for six years, before this I was in Breck Road, I have never known anything like this, it has made me think about selling the business. It has become a lawless part of the city. I have seen old men being beaten up and robbed."
We asked Merseyside Police what action is being taken to target these gangs and protect business owners. The force said a number of specific actions have already been taken.
Liverpool local policing Inspector Sarah Rotherham said: “We are aware of reports of antisocial behaviour and disorder in and around the Broadway area of Norris Green and a huge amount of work is currently underway to tackle it head on.
“This type of behaviour is clearly unacceptable and will not be tolerated and I want the local community to be reassured that we are continuing to work alongside the local authority and other partners to address the problems raised and ensure people who live and work in the area can do so safely and peacefully.
“From reports we know the majority of youths believed to be involved range in age from 14-17 and are a mix of male and females and our Safer Schools Officers have been providing inputs in local schools around ASB/Hate Crime, along with the Hate Crime coordinator."
The ABC orders stipulate conditions linked to tenancy agreements and the force says it is working with the local housing provider Cobalt on this. Parents for the children involved have also been in attendance at the meetings. So far 17 ABCs have been issued, with one now being progressed for an eviction because of repeated breaches. Police said three new CCTV cameras with 360 degree views have been installed in the area which are helping to build prosecution cases against the youths involved.
Inspector Rotheram added: “In addition we had a positive engagement meeting with shop owners and businesses in the area of Broad Lane to discuss the ongoing issues and a further meeting will be held to update the community on the progress. While we understand the frustration of local businesses who have had to suffer at the hands of a minority I want people who live locally to feel reassured that we do take their concerns seriously and are responding to them as a priority. I would ask that our community continues to support us and come forward with any information which could assist us in identifying those responsible so that we can take positive action.
“I would also ask parents and guardians who live in the area – please speak to your children and teenagers and don’t let them be peer-pressured into committing acts of disorder or antisocial behaviour which have a negative impact on others and the community they live in.” Anyone with information can DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111."
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