RISE OF THE VIGILANTES!

A POLICE car had its window smashed by yobs while officers were investigating a vandalism attack on a house on the same Sheffield street.

Vandals struck while the car was parked up on Chaucer Road, Parson Cross, as officers carried out their enquiries after a house window was smashed. Fed up residents say youths wreaking havoc night after night are making their lives a misery. They claim youths hang about in an alley on the street drinking, being rowdy and damaging homes and cars. Some of those concerned about the daily problems have written to Sheffield MP David Blunkett, South Yorkshire's Chief Constable Med Hughes and have had a meeting with local councillor Tony Damms. They want Sheffield Council to install gates on both sides of the gennel which residents could open and close every morning and night, in the hope that the lack of shelter will drive the yobs away. One man, who does not want to be identified for fear of reprisals, says residents are so fed up he fears vigilantes will try to resolve the problem themselves. He said: "If the police come out they just try to move the youths on, effectively transferring the problem elsewhere for a short time. But they soon return and the problems start up again straight away. "They drink, set hedges on fire, smash windows, damage cars, shout, leave litter and bottles lying about and abuse residents. I have even seen them throwing things at passing cars, which could cause an accident - they are out of control and something needs to be done about it. I have seen men actually chasing them with bars, such is the strength of feeling here about what they are getting up to." Inspector Andy McFarlane said visits to the area have been organised to assess what police and other agencies can do to tackle the problem. He added: "We are aware that some local residents are concerned about groups of youths in certain parts of the neighbourhood, and that some residents have experienced damage to their property as a result of nuisance youths. "We are keen to tackle issues that impact on the community, and work in partnership with other agencies to provide sustainable solutions to these issues. We want to send a message to local people that we will take whatever action is needed to make their neighbourhood a safer place to live. "One of the problems we encounter is that incidents are not being reported to the police." Councillor Chris Weldon, a Sheffield Council cabinet member, said: "We have every sympathy with residents who are upset about anti-social behaviour in their community, and we will not tolerate such behaviour."

(Rise of the vigilantes)

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