My property's been destroyed and my kids are petrified (From Warrington Guardian)

My property's been destroyed and my kids are petrified

I am a frustrated and angry resident from Newton-le-Willows who feels compelled to write in to the Star regarding recent events in the street where I live.

I live in Market Street, usually a quiet peaceful street with a great set of neighbours however, on a Friday and Saturday night it becomes an awful place to live.

The usual set of troubles consist of: gangs of kids drinking in back alleys, drunks returning from the pubs having fights and sing-a-longs outside my house, car wing mirrors and side panels getting kicked in (I've been a victim of this 12 times this year) and burnt-out cars.We have emailed the police in St Helens who have assured us that they do patrol our area and that just because we have no police station in evenings doesn't mean that we are not a priority..... I say that's rubbish!

Recently a gang of teens kicked-in the gates at the back of my house, when my husband approached them he got a mouthful of abuse. The noise woke up my 6-year-old child and my 14 month old baby who were terrified and hysterical, I am also due to have another baby soon.

I rang the police in St Helens to tell them that these people who had inflicted criminal damage on my property were standing at the local garage having a good old laugh about it. The police said they were too busy in St Helens to respond.

The next day a community officer came out to take a statement, we can't afford to replace our gates, and we are not covered on our insurance. My garden is now not secured and I can't let my kids play out there. My children are jumpy and afraid.

But the St Helens Police were too busy to respond.

My husband and I work very hard, only to have our property destroyed and our children petrified, and all the time we are paying for privilege with the increase in council tax.

I am disgusted with the whole thing.

Jean Bell, via e-mail.