People claim police have been rendered powerless as masked-up yobs terrorise their once quiet streets.
People living on Leominster Road and Greenheys Road in Liscard say they are scared to leave their homes as a gang of balaclava-clad yobs patrol the streets, causing mayhem. Not only have people living in the area explained the misery of living in fear, but they have also hit out at Merseyside Police and Wirral Council, pleading for more to be done to help them.
One dad who lives on Leominster Road told the ECHO about the ongoing issues plaguing the street as the gang is said to have intimidated people, patrolled the roads and even kicked people's doors off their hinges. They walk around with their faces covered "looking" for ways to break into people's homes and earlier this week six cars across Leominster Road and Greenheys Road were damaged in an early morning vandalism spree.
READ MORE: 'Balaclava Gang' that 'run' quiet area of Merseyside
A dad-of-one, who asked to remain anonymous, told the ECHO he has begged police and councillors for more to be done in the area but is yet to see a change. He said: "We as a road have put a suggestion forward to see if the entry to the park could be gated because we don't need two accesses to the park. There are three accesses on Liscard Road, three accesses on the Poulton Estate area and two accesses here.
"That's eight access points into the park. We don't need this one here. It's not required. If anything it aids the gang. They disperse back into the park after they commit any crimes and the police don't bother getting out of their cars.
"We put the suggestion to the council but they came up with excuses. A building development behind us has flown up but trying to get the entrance gated so there's no access is a wormhole. We've requested it gets blocked off because it's blighting the area and the police seem powerless."
On Saturday, July 2 a number of people wearing balaclavas are said to have approached one house on the road after patrolling the road moments before. When neighbours noticed the waiting yobs they left their homes to confront them, and before long the homeowner heard the commotion and came out himself.
The gang then dispersed, and when police arrived it is claimed officers didn't leave the cars. Those living in the area are frustrated and scared, and earlier this year there was the first sign of violence as a 12-year-old boy was slashed as a gang of men wearing balaclavas tried to steal his coat.
The crime, that took place on Sunday, February 13, is just one incident that has brought a cloud of terror onto the area, with a number of incidents happening since, including the gang kicking a door off its hinges at the home of a single mum. Merseyside Police has now called on people to report all instances of criminal behaviour as they look to crack down on the recent spate of crime.
Community Policing Sergeant Mark Smith said: “We simply will not tolerate such dangerous acts of anti-social behaviour in our communities in Liscard.
"We have a number of options available to tackle such behaviour, including dispersal zones and plain clothes officers on patrol. Where we receive reports of anti-social behaviour, we will not hesitate to take action. it’s vital that people contact us about each incident, so that we can get a clear picture of what is happening in our community, target our resources and prevent further incidents from taking place.
“If you have witnessed any incidents or have captured any footage on mobile phone or dashcam then please contact us, directly, or anonymously through Crimestoppers. All information we receive will be acted upon.”
Anyone with any information on anti-social behaviour in their community can direct message @MerpolCC on Twitter, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or call 101 or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.
Wirral Council confirmed its Anti-Social Behaviour Team is working with the police in relation to these incidents.
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