'We will not give them a glory stamp' (From Borehamwood Times)
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Residents in Crown Road, Borehamwood, refuse to be forced out of home due to anti-social behaviour
11:03am Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in News By Anna Slater
Last week the married man woke up to find his dining room window shattered
Teenagers are running wild through a quiet street, making residents lives a misery.
Householders in Crown Road, Borehamwood, say they have had their tyres slashed, bricks thrown through their windows and rubbish flung into their gardens.
According to residents, the culprits are a gang of around eight 14-year-olds, whom they can identify by name and who come to the street using a nearby alleyway.
One 51-year-old man, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said the situation has been going on for around three years.
He added: “It makes my blood boil. I have no idea why they target us.
“They love it when we call the police because it gives them five seconds of fame in their group. But why let them be heroes? We will not give them that glory stamp.
“They are just children - which is what makes this more shocking - but I refuse to be moved out of my home. I am standing my ground on this one.”
Last week, the married man woke up to find his dining room window shattered, which he believes was caused by a pellet gun.
The couple’s home backs onto an alleyway, and the children often tear down the fencing and throw it into their garden in excitement.
During the summer, they were left feeling “sick to the bone” when the tyres of their brand new camper van were slashed with what looked like a knife.
Last year, they were horrified to find the glass in their front door had been smashed and a tree branch lying on their carpet when they arrived home one afternoon.
Another woman, a nurse and grandmother, said: “They also shout taunts at us in the street, swear at us and call us names.
“It is crazy. We have become so powerless against a group of children but this is the reality of it all.
“I barely sleep or eat and have had to take time off work because the stress is driving me mad. It is taking its toll on my health, I am always scared.
“I thought about moving out but this is the home I have worked so hard for, why should I let them win?
“I wish we could do something to calm them down – an ASBO could help – but you run the risk of giving them the glory they are looking for so it is a tricky one.
“The police have actually been great and really sympathetic to the situation, but even they can only do so much. I just want my life back.”
Comments(14)
ForReal
says...
1:46pm Wed 23 Jan 13
mr.taxpayer
says...
1:51pm Wed 23 Jan 13
kelvin
says...
2:14pm Wed 23 Jan 13
Lock 'em up
Fine the parents.
job done.
eric 2
says...
2:30pm Wed 23 Jan 13
radlett_stud
says...
3:49pm Wed 23 Jan 13
1971
says...
4:44pm Wed 23 Jan 13
Where are the parents in all this, they should be held responsible
eric 2
says...
10:41am Thu 24 Jan 13
1971 wrote:probably because their single mothers and absent fathers (if they know who they are) are no better and couldn't care less what their kids are doing
Like Kelvin says.
Where are the parents in all this, they should be held responsible
DZBorehamwood
says...
12:36pm Thu 24 Jan 13
ForReal
says...
2:01pm Thu 24 Jan 13
eric 2 wrote:Are you serious? Single mothers aren't all like that, some DO care!
1971 wrote:probably because their single mothers and absent fathers (if they know who they are) are no better and couldn't care less what their kids are doing
Like Kelvin says.
Where are the parents in all this, they should be held responsible
KeithOT
says...
4:10pm Thu 24 Jan 13
davesam00
says...
5:47pm Thu 24 Jan 13
JosephS
says...
10:49pm Thu 24 Jan 13
poshiesymons
says...
10:03am Sat 26 Jan 13
chelseaboy says...
12:28pm Wed 23 Jan 13