Streets where elderly are scared to leave home

WITH its Iron Bridge and Coalbrookdale Furnace, the new town of Telford calls itself the birthplace of industry.

But where aspirational families once flocked to put down roots, homeowners now face the fear of crime. The area where Derek Whyteside died is plagued by teenage gangs running riot, shouting abuse and damaging property.

Some elderly residents are even too scared to walk out their doors as a result of the problem, one local said.

Some 239 crimes were reported in the Dawley and Malinslee areas of Telford in April. That included 89 incidents of antisocial behaviour and 22 of criminal damage or arson. On Thursday, armed police were called following reports that a youth was carrying a samurai sword close to a primary school.

Last month two teens were given criminal behaviour orders after more than a dozen complaints including harassing elderly folk on a Telford estate.

Neighbourhood officers with West Mercia Police have pledged to tackle gangs causing a nuisance in the area.

Superintendent Tom Harding said antisocial behaviour in Telford was down by 9 per cent year on year but admitted it remained a cause for concern.