Residents and business leaders in a crime-plagued neighbourhood say they are living through a 'pandemic of anti-social behaviour', revealing they are hiring private security guards to keep them safe. Terrified families in a part of Merseyside have spoken of their ongoing battle with local gangs.
People living on Leominster Road in Liscard, Wallasey, say their once quiet street is being plagued by brazen Balaclava-clad yobs who have spent months terrorising the area. Criminal and anti-social behaviour has led to the destruction of cars and intimidation of residents.
Now, following pleas for help to both Merseyside Police and Wirral Council, people living on the road are bringing in their own drastic reinforcements in a bid to get rid of gangs that regularly patrols the streets near Central Park in the Wirral neighbourhood.
Terrifying video footage reveals a masked gang prowling the streets in the early hours. A dad of one who lives on the road said his family pays a 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, reports The Echo.
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, said: "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."
According to reports, 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 of a "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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