'Youths making our lives a living hell'

Shop and home owners have been complaining about a spate of anti - social activities in recent months including damage to property and vehicles.

Gangs of youngsters are said to be intimidating the public with their aggressive behaviour.

Some home owners are so desperate they have even considered taking the law into their own hands.

Now residents of Eversley Road have formed a neighbourhood watch group to stop the trouble makers and are trying to enlist the police help.

One, who wished to remain anonymous, described the severity of the problem: "They go up and down the road every day, smashing doors and windows and kicking car wing mirrors off.

"If we were to go and say anything to them, you think the next day you would find your windows smashed in.

"You wonder what the police are doing, when they say they are getting on top of things - well, that's a joke a minute."

Eversley Road resident Patrick Meyer has taken on the role of Neighbourhood Watch coordinator and is eager to see residents band together and improve their quality of life.

He said: "I just wanted to do something to help the neighbourhood because it's getting terrible with cars smashed, windows broken and kids causing damage.

"Hopefully we can get more local police patrols, but we need more help."

Patrick says residents should record any criminal or nuisance activity and report it to himself or other members of the neighbourhood watch group, who will then pass it to Bexhill police.

He added: "We need records, videos or photographs of whatever you are seeing - it can be done anonymously.

"Really, all we want to do is live in peace."

Bexhill police commander Inspector Dick Coates said the Neighbourhood Watch group had yet to seek his assistance but confirmed officers will cooperate with residents.

He said: "Obviously it's a problem that has arisen and we must be aware of it.

"We need to know who these people are and the people behind the neighbourhood watch group.

"We need to work together to stop this, otherwise it's no good at all. If whoever they are (the residents) come and see me then we will sort it out."

To contact the neighbourhood watch group in Eversley Road and for more information call 210670.