Pensioners feel trapped by anti-social behaviour (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Pensioners feel trapped by anti-social behaviour

7:30am Monday 17th September 2012 in News By Cadisha Brown

PENSIONERS are living in fear in their own homes after they claimed a group of vulnerable youngsters were “suddenly” moved into their quiet street, plaguing it with antisocial behaviour.

Elderly residents in Sion Avenue, Kidderminster, claim they feel trapped in their own houses as they are too frightened to leave their windows and doors unlocked during the day for fear of their homes being damaged.

The youngsters, who are at risk of homelessness, were housed in the street by The Community Housing Group (TCHG) in partnership with Wyre Forest District Council and St Basil’s – a charity for homeless younsters – about two months ago.

Residents say they were not consulted about the move and since then have been forced to put up with their nuisance behaviour, including late-night drinking, shouting, swearing and loud music.

Resident Ken Stokes said: “It’s been a reasonably peaceful avenue and now it’s just terrible.

We’re scared in our own homes.

We just want to be left in peace - that’s all.”

Another resident, who did not want to be named, added: “None of us feel safe. We sit with our doors locked and our windows locked because if we don’t we feel too vulnerable.

“We just really feel that we’re trapped in what used to be a really nice, quiet, trouble-free avenue but now we just feel like we’re living in some kind of war zone.

“They’re walking around drinking out of cans and cider bottles and shouting and yelling.”

She added residents would be setting up a petition in a bid to get the youngsters moved.

David Hanman, head of community services at TCHG, said the youngsters were trying to get involved with the local neighbourhood groups so they could be “integrated and accepted by the community”.

He added: “When incidents occur in any of our homes, we investigate them promptly and take appropriate action in line with tenancy conditions.”

Wyre Forest local policing chief, Inspector Paul Crowley, confirmed police had received several calls from neighbours about anti-social behaviour in the street He said “Our local policing team from that area are aware of the issues and we are liaising with the owners of the property to reduce any impact on the local community.

“We are confident that the plans we have in place will resolve the current issues.”