In the north Liverpool suburb of Norris Green lies a crescent shaped run of shops that feels like something of a throwback to a bygone era.
Broadway still has an independent butcher, a local jeweller and a carpet shop sandwiched between its bookmakers, pound shops and takeaways. While many living in the area are proud to have retained a local high street when so many others have withered - the area has turned hellish in recent months for some of those trying make their livings here.
At the end of last month, it was announced that Merseyside Police had introduced a dispersal order covering Broadway and the surrounding streets. The order gave officers extra powers to seize items, disperse crowds and arrest those who returned to the area.
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That action came shortly after police were forced to close Broadway when teenagers were seen on the roof of a former bingo hall in the centre of the high street, throwing bricks and slate onto the road beneath them. Three young teens were arrested for criminal damage and on suspicion of assaulting police and other emergency workers.
The incident offered a glimpse into something much deeper. The reality is that gangs of teenagers have been running riot in the Broadway area for months, terrorising business owners with violence and abuse - including racist attacks.
One business owner, who asked not to be named, said the problems facing him and his staff started back in January. He explained: "They set fire to some bins at the side of the shop, we saw them and stopped them. Then it got worse.
"The next time they came back and there were about 40 of them, we were calling the police for three hours but no one came. We tried to put the shutters down but the kids blocked it, they were throwing stones and they smashed our front windows."
The windows of the shop remain cracked to this day, the owners say there is no point getting them replaced as the same gangs will be back to smash them again soon, just as they have been doing for months.
The business owner said: "The trouble has carried on, pretty much every night for three months. Each time we would call the police, they would come with the sirens on and the kids would run away, then they would come back later. Three of my staff have left because of this, one staff member was assaulted and another had their car windows smashed. I have had staff in tears very often."
To make these attacks even more sinister, there is a very clear racial element to what has been taking place. A number of the businesses that have been targeted have Asian owners and staff members.
Another owner, who also asked to remain anonymous, shared CCTV footage of large gangs of kids gathering outside his shop, kicking the windows. Another video shows a youth walk up to a car and smash its back window, before running off.
Another business owner, of Pakistani heritage, said he has been repeatedly targeted with racial slurs and told 'to go back to his own country.' He added: "There has been lots of racist abuse. If you look at the businesses being targeted, it is 100% racial. These are hate crimes."
One of the shop owners said he believes things have become 'lawless' in the area. He added: "I have had the business here for six years, before this I was in Breck Road, I have never known anything like this, it has made me think about selling the business. It has become a lawless part of the city. I have seen old men being beaten up and robbed."
These are stories that were heard by the area's Member of Parliament Dan Carden, who said he is deeply concerned about what has been taking place. He said: "I heard some horror stories. My team and I spoke to staff in a shop which had been the target of criminal damage and another worker who was the victim of an assault. It is disturbing that some of these crimes appear to be racially motivated. No one should feel unsafe on our streets or at work."
As well as the horrific racism and violence they have faced, another running theme from the Broadway business owners we spoke to is a feeling they have largely been left to fend for themselves. They say they have contacted police hundreds of times and while officers have come out, nothing has been put in place to protect them in the longer term.
From their side, Merseyside Police say they are aware of the problems and are trying to tackle them. The force said there have been increased patrols in the area and that a number of youths have been identified and issued with Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs), which carry certain conditions with them.
Liverpool local policing Inspector Sarah Rotherham said: “We are aware of reports of antisocial behaviour and disorder in and around the Broadway area of Norris Green and a huge amount of work is currently underway to tackle it head on.
“This type of behaviour is clearly unacceptable and will not be tolerated and I want the local community to be reassured that we are continuing to work alongside the local authority and other partners to address the problems raised and ensure people who live and work in the area can do so safely and peacefully.
“From reports we know the majority of youths believed to be involved range in age from 14-17 years and are a mix of male and females and our Safer Schools Officers have been providing inputs in local schools around ASB/Hate Crime, along with the Hate Crime coordinator."
The ABC orders stipulate conditions linked to tenancy agreements and the force says it is working with the local housing provider Cobalt on this. Parents for the children involved have also been in attendance at the meetings. So far 17 ABCs have been issued, with one now being progressed for an eviction because of repeated breaches. Police said three new CCTV cameras with 360 degree views have been installed in the area which are helping to build prosecution cases against the youths involved.
Inspector Rotheram added: “In addition we had a positive engagement meeting with shop owners and businesses in the area of Broad Lane to discuss the ongoing issues and a further meeting will be held to update the community on the progress. While we understand the frustration of local businesses who have had to suffer at the hands of a minority I want people who live locally to feel reassured that we do take their concerns seriously and are responding to them as a priority. I would ask that our community continues to support us and come forward with any information which could assist us in identifying those responsible so that we can take positive action.
“I would also ask parents and guardians who live in the area – please speak to your children and teenagers and don’t let them be peer-pressured into committing acts of disorder or antisocial behaviour which have a negative impact on others and the community they live in.” Anyone with information can DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.
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