Inside warzone suburb where gangs of feral yobs aged 9 terrorise locals
- 10 days ago
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.
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.”
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.
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.”