'It's not a war zone - give us a chance' (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

'It's not a war zone - give us a chance'

7:30am Friday 21st September 2012 in News By Cadisha Brown

A YOUNG woman who was moved into a quiet street with other vulnerable youngsters is pleading with residents to “please give them a chance” after they were blamed for anti-social behaviour.

Caroline Hamilton, 21, said she was “fed up” with the neighbours in Sion Avenue saying they were “causing trouble all the time” when all she wanted to do was “get on” with them.

Miss Hamilton was moved into the property with two other young adults, who are all at risk of homelessness, by the Community Housing Group (TCHG), in partnership with Wyre Forest District Council and St Basils – a charity for homeless youngsters – about two months ago.

Since then, elderly residents claimed the group had turned the street into a “war zone” by plaguing it with anti-social behaviour, including late-night drinking, shouting and swearing and they were living in fear in their own homes.

Miss Hamilton said, however, she had been trying to make an effort with the residents since the day she moved in, adding the person who had been “causing the trouble” was removed from the house by police last Thursday.

“All we want to do is get on with the neighbours and we’re trying,” she said. “We don’t like the way they’re saying it’s like a war zone because it’s nothing like that.

“I would like to say to them ‘why have you got a problem with us when we’ve done nothing wrong?’ “The first day I moved in I was trying to smile at everyone and I didn’t feel welcome by the residents. They were all just blanking us and ignoring us. We felt like they weren’t interested. We’ve tried and we’re going to try even more.”

She added: “I want to say to the residents to give us another chance instead of poking the finger at all of us.

"We’re sorry for everything that’s happened."