Living in fear of yob gangs

Residents have spoken of their fear and distress caused by gangs of youths who descend on their estate at night.

Mr Mark Clawson and his disabled wife, Mrs Bev Clawson, say they are prisoners in their own home on Meering Avenue, Newark.

They log anti-social behaviour in diaries given to them by Newark and Sherwood District Council.

Things are so bad they have asked to be moved.

Their home is protected by 6ft fencing and padlocked gates.

Mr Clawson unlocks and secures the back gate every time he goes out. His wife will not leave the house at all.

Mr Clawson (36) is the full-time carer for his wife who is recovering at home after an operation.

He said: “I won’t use the front door. I don’t know what I’m walking into.

“I’ve lived in Nottingham —Basford and Hyson Green — and we moved here to get away from all this. The area is under-policed. Somebody is going to go out there and end up getting hurt.

“The police have warned me never to approach the youths but to call them instead. If I was to do that every time I would be on the telephone every five minutes.”

Mrs Clawson (42) said: “I can’t stand much more of this.

“We have tried to explain to the youths the harm that they are doing but they just don’t care.

“I want to feel safe in my own home but I just don’t.”

Mr and Mrs Ian Squire, of Winthorpe Road, have put up security cameras and lights to try to protect their home.

Mr Squire turned on his television to show the positioning of the cameras and as he did so a youth walked into shot and began urinating on his fence.

Vandalised

Mrs Trudy Squire said: “They know the cameras are there. If that was me I would be mortified but we were taught to respect people, particularly our elders.

“It doesn’t matter what you say to them they are always king of the castle.”

Mr Squire, who has had his car vandalised, said: “If you go out to talk to them you get nothing but abuse.

“Decent, law-abiding citizens get kicked or stabbed to death for confronting these gangs.

“Everyone is frightened to go out and speak to them for that reason. Somebody will end up going out and hurting them or getting hurt themselves.”

The owner of the Premier off-licence and general store on Meering Avenue, Mr A. J. Odedra, has installed cameras and security lights, and fitted grilles over his windows to deter the yobs.

“They have smashed my shop windows twice,” he said.

“Everyone sees this as a nice town, a nice place, but if I knew it was going to be like this I wouldn’t have bought the business.”

A 27-year-old single mum-of-two, who did not want to be named, has security cameras but the feed cable was cut.

Her telephone line has been cut four times.

“The shops attract them like flies,” she said.

“If you don’t know how to swear then spend a few minutes on this estate and you will learn.”

A 68-year-old wheelchair-bound man, who also did not want to be named, said today’s youth culture was the worst he had ever known.

The retired electrician, who has breathing difficulties, has had fireworks pushed through his letterbox.

“You have to keep your head down. If you go out to them they will go for you,” he said.

“I have been here since 2003. It was reasonable in those days but now it is by far the worst I have experienced.

“There are about three different groups that roam around, including girls. The oldest are probably about 16 and the youngest 12.”