POLICE have reassured residents mindless acts of vandalism will not be tolerated as a gang of youths continue to "terrorise" a rural village.
Lincolnshire Police say there is no "quick-fix" to combat antisocial behaviour and vandalism by a gang of youths in Marshchapel.
It comes as a young boy was arrested in the village on Sunday.
Villagers reported seeing him lying in the middle of the main road, Sea Dyke Way, although this has not been confirmed by the police.
Meanwhile, younger children, who fear the gang, have reportedly begged their parents to ground them so they do not have to go out to play.
Sergeant Lee Willoughby said: "We have been doing a lot of work with families and other youths in the area. Ultimately we want to, and will stop this behaviour.
"There isn't a quick-fix, we want to stop it long-term and that may take time. But boredom is no excuse for criminal and antisocial behaviour acts and we will deal with those who engage in it."
Residents have called for action following an "unprecedented" number of crimes in the village – including smashing an elderly woman's window as she cared for her terminally-ill husband, and smashing up children's garden toys.
Since their appeal, the door of another elderly woman's house in Littlefield Lane has been damaged and her rubbish bins thrown over her garden.
At the latest parish council meeting, it was said there were just two officers each night covering Skegness to Marshchapel, however, Sgt Willoughby confirmed there are more than that – but would not disclose how many.
He continued: "We have been working with outside agencies, East Lindsey District Council and youth support workers, to try to build up long-term measures that will stop this.
"Marshchapel is a very safe place and generally we don't get calls to go out there but at the moment there are a core few youths that have caused problems."
The boy has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Meanwhile, it continues to be the talk of the village, and while residents sympathise with the police, they don't with the parents of the youths causing trouble.
One man, who did not want to be named, said: "It is all down to bad parenting if you ask me. When I was a kid, if I had been brought home by the police, my dad would have told them to take me away.
I don't know what the solution is, but one is better parenting.
"Sooner or later someone is going to be arrested, but it won't be any of the youths, it will be a resident.
"People have had enough."
Marshchapel Parish Council is aware of the problem and will meet with PCSO Angela Cave to survey the playing field and discuss how it can be improved to reduce crime.
ON THE WEB: What do you think? Tell us at www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk
