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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Aaron Curran

Nan forced to sit in freezing house after yobs repeatedly smash her windows

A nan was forced to sit in her freezing cold house after her window was 'smashed in by yobs'.

Pearl Murdoch, who lives in Parr, St Helens, has suffered a campaign of anti social behaviour- with her home being targeted by teenagers for over a year. In January 2022, the ECHO reported the 66-year-old felt "unsafe in her own home" following windows being smashed, and "grass" being spray painted on her wall.

In the 12 months since, Pearl said that things haven't really improved. She told the ECHO: "Things aren't really better at all. I think the dark nights bring more trouble.

READ MORE: Nan feels unsafe in her own home after being terrorised by yobs

"My window got smashed again around six weeks ago, and at this point I just want my housing company to brick the window up so that it stops getting smashed. I haven't got it fixed this time as it costs £200 each time with the double glazing, so I've just left the boards on it."

She added: "It really does get cold, we've covered it with blankets and everything to try and keep the heat in, until it can get bricked up so that it won't happen again."

Pearl, who did volunteer work in prisons for many years working with young offenders, added: "It's frightening thinking a brick could come through the window, it could fly through and hit me in the face while I'm sitting watching the telly."

The abuse has now made nan Pearl consider moving away from the area, where she has lived for over 30 years. She said: "The people here are lovely but it has made me think about having to move away which would be really hard, you get older and think you shouldn't have to do that.

Pearl Murdoch says the whole community are suffering from anti social behaviour (Iain Watts/ Liverpool ECHO)

"There's an older lady living on the estate who has had to move in with her daughter because of the damage."

St Helens local policing Inspector Stacey Pope said: “We have received a few reports of minor incidents caused by young children in the Parr area, and as a result we have increased high-visibility patrols to deal with any issues and prevent offences from taking place.

“Our local policing team has also been liaising with Parr Community Group’s outreach team and the council’s Safer Community outreach team who will be conducting outreach in the area this weekend and signposting the children to the numerous diversionary activities available.

“I would urge parents and guardians to know where their child is and what they are up to so they are not causing unnecessary distress to residents in the area.”

"Always call 999 if a crime is in progress. You can pass any information on anti-social behaviour via our social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook.

"You can also contact the independent charity Crime stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information."

Anyone with information can DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.

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