'Our UK town has been turned into warzone by feral yobs as young as 9'
Young tearaways regularly steal from shops, pelt peoples' homes with eggs and steal cars for so-called 'joyrides'.
Terrified residents say their once quiet suburb has been turned into a "warzone" by gangs of feral yobs - including some as young as nine.
Young tearaways regularly steal from shops, pelt peoples' homes with eggs and steal cars for so-called 'joyrides'.
Locals living in Wollescote, Stourbridge, West Mids., say they can't sleep with many installing CCTV cameras to make sure their homes are safe.
Police have been called in to patrol local buses after several were vandalised by teen gangs who residents say now "rule the area".
Londis worker Yamuna Ramakrishnan, 21, said she was plagued by shoplifters on a daily basis.
She said: "The kids steal chocolate and whatever else they can fit in their pockets.
"They also take other other things from nearby shops and put them in our shop for a prank. They took chairs and put them in our shop.
"It's been happening for more than four months. They usually come usually around 8pm.
"They also smash up nearby shop doors. We call police but they run away.
"They just come in and disturb the customers. They don't allow the customers to come inside."
Last week a group of youngsters stole a car and crashed into a homeowner's Nissan Juke and demolished his wall.
CCTV footage shows the stolen Honda 4x4 careering along the road before losing control and ploughing into the parked car on Worton Road.
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Kevin Smith, 69, who has lived on the street for the past 47 years, said: "We were in the conservatory and we heard an enormous bang.
"There was a car wedged in the side of mine.
"There were three lads who smashed into it. It was pretty horrendous. Someone could have been killed.
"We sent the CCTV to the police. The police have got a lot of stuff that they can use, but there's no feedback from it.
"At the moment these young gangs are running riot on the street. They burgle, steal cars and go around on motorbikes causing problems.
"They were throwing things at the bus as it went by. They got on the bus, damaged it. It's pretty lawless around here at the moment.
"It used to be quiet area but it's turned into a warzone.
"It's amazing how many people have been affected by these kids.
"They know there are no consequences because the police don't act.
"The number of people that are moving is ridiculous, this area is getting a reputation for being a bad place to live."
Gangs have targeted a disused shop along the street, smashing it up and looting whatever items they can.
A resident, who did not wish to be identified, said: "It's really scary, I am at my window all the while because they are throwing things and banging on doors.
"The abuse is horrible to hear, it makes you wonder what the world is coming to.
"I haven't had any sleep, you only have to hear something and you are at your window or looking at cameras.
"We shouldn't have to live like this, you are on tenterhooks all the while."
Another resident, who was also too scared to be named, said: "It think it's got a lot worse in the last few years."
"There's a gang of about 20 hooligans aged from about nine who are causing all the problems.
"My neighbour had a For Sale sign up and they ripped it up and threw it over the green.
"They've also been going into a neighbour's garden.
"They've stolen knives out of a shop up the road and broken into a disused shop and damaged things.
"On the bus they swear and throw things at people and they ripped the lights off the inside of the bus.
"They've hit my kids with things on the bus. They have no respect, no fear of the consequences because there aren't really any.
"The police are on the bus now because of the issues.
"One of these thugs rammed into my neighbour's car with his pushbike and then threatened to stab them. People are scared to leave their homes."
Dudley Councillor Tim Crumpton, who represents Wollescote ward, said there was a crime "pandemic" sweeping the area.
He said: "When they're stealing they're nicking the car keys. It's become a sort of pandemic.
"The police know them all. It all seems to centre around these kids on the motorbikes.
"On one occasion there was a guy walking around with a machete.
"The ones that are causing the problems are anywhere between nine to 18."
"You'd see three or four of these lads walking up by the houses.
"Then in the evening, they burgle them.
"We have got to be able to do something about it, it can't be allowed to destroy the neighbourhood."
Rachel Gardener, CEO of the charity We Love Carers, said: "The old people around here don't feel safe in their homes anymore.
"The general behaviour of the kids even to the age of 12 or 13 is not appropriate."
Figures show there were 119 reported crimes in February this year, including 15 incidents of anti-social behaviour, nine burglaries and 69 violent and sexual offences.
This compares with 103 reported crimes for the same month last year, when there were 50 violent and sexual offences reported to West Midlands Police.
Neighbourhood police sergeant Nichola Chester said: "We are conducting regular patrols, the shops tend to be where these groups of children come to create a bit of havoc.
"Where we have identified those involved they have also been issued with relevant anti-social behaviour notices.
"It is about perception, you may not see us on every street corner but that doesn't mean we are not there, I will not tolerate that kind of behaviour in my wards."
