Terrified families living in one part of Merseyside have turned to hiring private security in their battle against a local gang.
People living on Leominster Road in Liscard are terrified as their once quiet street has been plagued by brazen balaclava-clad yobs who have spent months terrorising those living in the area. The ECHO has previously reported on the criminal and antisocial behaviour that has led to the destruction of cars and intimidation of residents.
Now, following pleas for help to both Merseyside Police and Wirral Council, people on the road have brought in their own reinforcement in a bid to get rid of the gang that regularly patrols the streets near Central Park in the Wirral neighbourhood.
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A dad of one who lives on the road told the ECHO they pay the security firm a monthly fee and are given access to a 24/7 hotline in case anything happens, as well as the firm conducting three patrols during the day and three patrols during the night. He also revealed that a number of homes on the road have taken the opportunity to employ the firm to protect both their homes and their families.
The dad, who asked to remain anonymous, told the ECHO: "We all had leaflets through the door from a private security firm so I decided to give them a call and now we pay for the services. None of us have been forced to join the security firm, we just want the protection.
"We've all decided to get some improved security, whether it be through the security firm or through better CCTV going up. There are now three patrols in the day and three patrols in the night with a 24/7 helpline.
"No waiting time that we would have with emergency services. We just ring them and they come. It's a real shame because residents in the area have lost all hope in the powers that be."
The ECHO has previously been told the gang patrol the streets near to Central Park in Liscard in groups, with around 10-15 of them in total. Previously, police had said they had stepped up high visibility patrols in the Central Park area to provide "reassurance to the local community."
Co-owner of Backup Security Systems Barry Fox told the ECHO about the "pandemic of anti-social behaviour" that has taken over the area, with him now offering private security, regular patrols and a 24-hour number for £5 a week.
The 45-year-old said: "It's a pandemic of anti-social behaviour. It's horrible to see and that's why I do it. Everyone's had enough. There's one person who can't even go to the shop anymore because they're so scared. I have to go to the shop for them."
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