A mum says she is terrified to leave the house after a long-running campaign of abuse from a gang of youths. Tracey Baldwin, 50, says teenage yobs have smashed the windows of her Stockport home 14 times in less than two years.
On several occasions, fireworks have been hurled at the property where she lives with her 25-year-old daughter, Jodie. Ms Baldwin says the abuse has become so bad that police have warned her "life is in danger" if she doesn't leave the area where she has lived her whole life.
"They are targeting my house," she said. "There's a big gang of them.
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"I can't even walk to the shop without being intimidated by teenagers, or go out of the house without looking behind my back. That's how bad it is getting.
"I've reported every incident to the police and they've done nothing. They've said my life is in danger at the property."
Following the first few attacks in 2020, Ms Baldwin spent more than £500 installing CCTV cameras outside her home in Norcross Close, Offerton. However, it has failed to deter further attacks.
Several pieces of CCTV footage seen by the Manchester Evening News show youths approach the property before launching bricks through Ms Baldwin's windows. The most recent incident happened on Saturday when video captured someone kicking Ms Baldwin's gate before another person threw an item at her window.
Just days earlier, Ms Baldwin says her kitchen and bathroom windows were smashed by a gang of youths. Ms Baldwin, who works as a cleaner at Manchester Airport, says she has been forced to take time off to work to deal with the incidents.
She has reported each of the attacks to Greater Manchester Police, but says no action has been taken. The force says it investigated the incidents but no suspects were ever identified.
Stockport Homes, the housing association that owns the property, has urged Ms Baldwin to move elsewhere. She says she has now reluctantly agreed.
"They're [the youths] forcing me out of my home," she said. "I don't want to go anywhere else but I have no choice."
"I have been here for coming up to 51 years. They should be helping me rather than moving me out. Why should I have to move if I'm not the one causing the problem?"
Superintendent Shan Nasim, from GMP’s Stockport district, said: “We are currently investigating two reported incidents of criminal damage at a property on Norcross Close in Stockport and a number of lines of enquiry have been carried out. Previous incidents reported to us were investigated and all lines of enquiry including CCTV and forensics were followed up but no suspects were able to be identified.
“We’re working alongside partners to resolve the situation, help prevent any further incidents and continue to carry out enquiries at pace as no one should feel unsafe in their own home. Anyone with information is asked to report it online or via LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk or by calling 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
John Bowker, executive director of operations at Stockport Homes, added: “We have been working closely with the resident and the police to identify the perpetrators and hold them to account for offences and have provided additional security measures to deter incidents occurring.
"We are committed to ensuring safe homes and neighbourhoods as the safety of residents is our paramount concern – we have previously discussed rehousing options with the resident whilst working to tackle the issues and, as a move has now been requested, we will support the resident in securing a new property and help them to move.
"We will of course continue to work with the resident and the police in identifying the offenders and holding them to account for the damage and harassment caused.”
Anyone with any information on these incidents is encouraged to contact Stockport Homes on 0161 217 6016 or tell us via the website at www.stockporthomes.org
