A gang of yobs are terrorising a sleepy town with residents said to feel like 'prisoners' in their own homes. The quiet area of Malvern Link in Worcestershire has been 'taken over' by an unruly gang.
Neighbours have reported incidents of the teenage group, said to be as big as 21-strong, peeing in gardens, committing theft and setting fire to post boxes. Some parents in the area have raised concerns about allowing their kids out to play in fear of attack, reports the Mirror.
One boy was said to have been 'beaten up' with some of the more elderly in the community feeling trapped in their homes. A couple caught the mass gang stealing from their driveway and garden on a Ring doorbell camera with over £1,300 in goods nicked.
Célia McCullough, 47, and partner Neil Topping, 49 caught the group on film last week and used social media to raise awareness but she was told by West Mercia Police to take it down. The force are said to be upping patrols in the area and are investigating the gang.
She said: "They are terrorising people and people are scared. It needs to stop.
"We saw the group on the footage and we were able to count 21 people that were involved looking at my camera and my neighbours. It was scary seeing them all at the end of our driveway.
"They rushed into our garden and stole my son's bag from our cabin. They also stole an expensive bike as well.
"We were driving back home after we found out but we were told by a neighbour that they had already left and had made their way to Malvern Link station. We heard that they were also throwing stones at homes and urinating on properties as well. Since uploading it to social media I have been told countless other stories from people who have been terrorised by these same kids.
"One said they were too scared to let their children play out after a boy was beaten up by them. They have threatened another with a knife. I've been told they put things on fire through someone's postbox. It's just awful. This is a nice quiet area with a lot of elderly residents.
"This isn't a big city where you might sort of expect this thing, although it's unacceptable anywhere, we moved here because it was beautiful and quiet. They need to be stopped but when I uploaded the footage I was told by police to take it down because an investigation was ongoing.”
A group had been banned from the train station by police at the weekend with eight officers issuing five dispersal notices to some of the teenagers, meaning they could not visit the train station for up to 48 hours.
An elderly resident noted: "We've been too scared to go out because these feral thugs have been running riot.
"They just don't seem to care about anything other than being hellbent on causing trouble. We've become prisoners in our own homes."
Inspector Dave Wise, of West Mercia Police, said: "We are aware of a number of incidents linked to youth related anti-social behaviour in the Malvern area.
"Those responsible for repeated instances of anti-social behaviour are being identified and considered for anti-social behaviour injunctions.
"Officers will be carrying out patrols in areas where concerns have been raised and identified individuals can expect to be subject to stop and search wherever it is lawful and proportionate to do so.
"We recognise the impact incidents such as the disorder at Cedar Avenue can have on our community and we are listening to those concerns. I'd urge anyone with information regarding individuals who may be carrying weapons to report that without delay."
A spokesman for West Mercia Police added: "Officers in Malvern have issued five dispersal notices for this weekend following reports of youths in the area of Malvern Link on the evening of Saturday, April 29 engaging in Anti-Social Behaviour.
"The dispersal order has been imposed under Section 34 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
"Dispersal orders make it an offence for anyone to return to a specific area for up to 48 hours."
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