A gang of balaclava-clad yobs have descended on a quiet area of Merseyside in recent months.
People living on Leominster Road and Greenheys Road in Liscard are scared to leave their own homes with the gang of 10-15 patrolling the roads and causing havoc. Most recently the gang are believed to have targeted a number of cars in the area according to people living on the roads.
Merseyside Police confirmed that a group of six males were seen in the area between 2am and 3am yesterday at the time where was damage done to six cars in the area. High visibility patrols have been stepped up in the area since but one man told the ECHO about the constant antisocial behaviour that has plagued the area over the last 12 months.
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People living on Leominster Road created a WhatsApp group to share CCTV images with each other as well as other information due to cars driving down the road clipping the wing mirrors of parked cars, but they quickly found that there was a wave of criminal behaviour taking over the quiet road.
The man, a dad-of-one who has asked not to be named, said: "It's just a joke. The residents are genuinely scared to go out their houses. The fact we have a group that was initially set up because the road is so narrow and cars are side-swiped has now turned into a group that is full of this gang. They basically run this area. It's so frustrating."
Another man who lives on Leominster Road said that he works nights in Liverpool and is worried to leave his wife alone sometimes. He said: "We don't want to move away to be honest. I work nights and I'm worried about my Mrs at home. Fortunately, I do three on three off so a lot of the time I'm here but I'm concerned about her safety if one of these rats try and break-in, there's nothing I can do.
"I work in Liverpool so it's a good 15-20 minutes to get home. Nothing has been done. People are going to start taking things into their own hands. This just can't carry on any longer where residents are living in fear."
Earlier this year, just yards from Leominster Road and Greenheys Road, a 12-year-old was slashed by three men wearing balaclavas. The men failed to take the boy's coat but left him with a slash on his hand and needing surgery.
The attack, that happened on Sunday, February 13, was one of a number of incidents that have brought a dark cloud over the area. In CCTV shared with the ECHO, gangs of people can be seen pacing Leominster Road at night.
Following the criminal damage to cars this week, Community Policing Inspector Alan McKeon said: “The damage caused to residents’ vehicles yesterday is simply unacceptable and would have caused extensive stress and inconvenience. We simply will not tolerate such mindless acts of vandalism in our communities and we are determined to find those responsible and bring them to justice.
“If you were in the Liscard area in the early hours of yesterday morning and saw anything or anyone suspicious then please let us know. Similarly, if you live on Leominster Road, Greenheys road or the area around and have CCTV, ring doorbell or other devices which may have captured any footage, please check them and tell us if you see anything.
“We have stepped up high visibility patrols in the Central Park area to provide reassurance to the local community. If you have any information on these incidents or any anti-social behaviour, please come and speak to patrols. Whether you tell us directly or anonymously, through Crimestoppers, please tell us so we can take action.”
Anyone with information on is asked to DM @MerPolCC, message ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or call 101 with reference 22000497687. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online/
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