A Leeds woman is "absolutely terrified" to leave her home as vandals continue to target her home.
48-year-old Robyn Brockie who lives in Farnley has been subject to eggs thrown at her house, bricks thrown through her window, and rocks thrown in her garden. She says she fears for her safety every day as every week since September, a gang of youths have vandalised her home.
The resident, who lives alone, says she is unable to eat alone, shower, or go to bed without worrying. Robyn has suffered panic attacks and told Leeds Live she has had suicidal thoughts. "I don't know how much more I can take", she said.
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Robyn, who suffers from a severe for of arthritis and uses a wheelchair, walking frame, and walking stick, believes she is being targeted because of her disability; she explained they have also targeted another disabled resident in the area. Earlier this month, Leeds Live reported that youths were pelting eggs and large chunks of concrete on her home, but now she says the issue has got "much worse".
Speaking on Friday, November 25, she said: "We thought it had stopped but a few days later they were back last night. It is worse than ever and there's even more criminal damage." The gang have reportedly been throwing rocks into her front garden and thrown bricks through two more of her windows. Leeds City Council have boarded up one of her windows, but as more get broken she needs further protection.
Robyn said as the problem becomes "so dangerous", her mental health is deteriorating. In the past the Leeds resident has struggled with anxiety and depression but said this year she was "finally happy". Sadly, the vandalism has left her more down than ever before, she said.
Robyn said: "I never had panic attacks before this all happened. If it wasn’t for the support I would hurt myself I would have done something to myself by now.
"Before all this happened I was happy for the first time in a long time and now this has happened. My mental health was good and now this. I don't know if I would be here if it wasn't for my family and the support I have received."
Robyn added that she is unable to have her niece stay at her house because of the danger. As she explained how she is anxious to get in the shower, or eat a meal alone, her brother and sister have been coming to the house to watch outside.
Robyn said: "It’s absolutely terrifying. When I have not been able to sleep I am numb I am exhausted." She has been having panic attacks but is "too scared" to leave her house and go to the hospital without "something happening" to her.
She added that her cat has also been throwing up since the incidents. "She sits right by my side when she hears the bangs." Robyn says she has a camera on the house which she is able to view on her iPad or phone.
"The problem is with this is I have to watch it all the time and then capture the exact moment when it happens." She explained she needs a proper CCTV system, and this way she will be able to assist police.
West Yorkshire Police are aware of the incident and Robyn said she was told officers would amp up patrols in the area. However, she needs CCTV footage for the investigation to go further.
Sadly camera systems can be expensive, and during the height of the cost of living crisis and the run up to Christmas, paying for CCTV isn't an option for Robyn.
She added: "My brother and I are looking into how much CCTV but I cannot afford it. I am struggling to pay for things. I can’t cope with that on top of everything else. I need it to catch them on video.
"And, I can’t move because the cost of moving is too much." Robyn told Leeds Live she is planning to set up a fundraiser so she is able to pay for CCTV, adding that it is protection both for her and other residents living in the area.
Robyn added: "I won’t leave the house again if something else happens. I’m not ok, I don’t think I will be OK for the foreseeable future unless something is done."
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