Village 'under siege' by gang of youths

A RURAL village is "under siege" by a gang of "feral" youths – and residents refuse to tolerate it anymore.

Marshchapel locals claim vandalism and antisocial behaviour is at an "unprecedented scale" and have urged Lincolnshire Police to do more about it.

The catalogue of incidents include:

A pensioner threatened in the street.

A brick launched through an elderly woman's window.

Children's toys smashed up.

A ransacked shed.

Stones and eggs thrown at homes.

Residents gathered at a parish council meeting to air their concerns and did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, but are urging everyone to report incidents to the police.

One man told the meeting how he returned from holiday to find his grandchild's garden house and toys smashed to pieces and his shed raided, causing £500 damage.

He said: "It is on an unprecedented scale.

"We feel under siege. We have been in this village since 1985 and seen all the scrotes, but this group of kids are in a league of their own.

"We want this to stop before someone gets hurt – and someone will if this carries on.

"They are totally feral and we feel helpless."

Last week, a brick was hurled through an elderly woman's patio window as she cared for her terminally ill husband.

She claims she has been tormented for two years by youths who stand on the playing field swings on Sea Dyke Way to throw stones and shout abuse.

She told the meeting: "They think they can do what they want and they don't care. I have tried to reason with them, I have begged and I have even tried being really nice, but nothing seems to work."

Two police officers a night cover the 35 miles between Skegness and Marshchapel.

Last month, 12 incidents were reported to police, including five antisocial behaviour reports.

Now residents want police to increase patrols so youths – who are banned from the park after dusk – will move on.

They also want the play equipment moved further down the field and away from properties.

But PCSO Andrea Cave said: "What is the reality of police coming down here to get kids off the field and play area? Not great.

"I am just being honest. If officers are passing, they will do something.

"Yes, youths are getting out of control but we are aware of the problem and we are dealing with it."

The parish council and PCSO will meet to see how they can design out crime on the playing field.