A disturbing report has explored how groups of youths are tormenting a community – but there are disagreements on how the issue should be tackled
Residents have said they are living in fear(Image: Supplied)
There are disagreements on how best to tackle ‘feral’ anti-social behaviour in one part of Liverpool. People living in an area of Garston have told the ECHO that their lives are being ruined by groups of youths setting off fires, smashing their way into homes and carrying knives.
Families are desperate to leave the area and calling on police to step up and take action. Our special report earlier today details shocking reports of residents having their doors and windows smashed, with some of the kids even trespassing inside while people are at home.
There are reports of racist and homophobic abuse being aimed at people, while kids under the age of 10 are said to be wandering around with knives and starting fires.
The issues are concentrated in Garston-under-the-bridge, which is the part of Garston that lies between the railway bridge in Church Road and the River Mersey.
One woman, who asked not to be named out of fear of retribution from the youths, said: “These summer holidays were the worst of all. These gangs of kids are going around intimidating people, smashing people’s windows, starting fires, throwing things at people. It is absolutely horrible.
“I have seen them shouting racist and homophobic things at people. I have lost track of the number of times that they have set a water hydrant off in the area.
“They are literally feral. They don’t fear the police at all. When the police do come out, they climb all over the cars. They trespass into people’s homes. One of our neighbours was in the bath when these kids got into her house.”
Another woman said: “We have had these kids trying to boot our door down and trying to smash our windows in. Some of these are kids younger than 10.
“I am so depressed and scared to even leave my house. We don’t ever want to go outside. They are wandering around the streets with knives, setting fires and yet we never see police patrolling here. We have sent loads of pictures and videos to police of what is going on.
Local councillors Sam Gorst and Lucy Williams, of the Liverpool Community Independents group, say they are trying to tackle the worrying rise in anti-social behaviour in this part of Garston – but also feel the police could be doing more.
Residents of Garston say they are living in fear of gangs of teenagers and children(Image: Supplied)
Merseyside Police said statistics shows that crime fell by 6% in 2024 and 8% in 2023 in the Garston area but accepted that there has been an increase in anti-social behaviour.
Responding to the situation in Garston, South Liverpool local policing Superintendent Charlotte Irlam, has said the force is working with other groups to address the issue.
The officer said that they have targeted offenders through a variety of different measures, adding: “Our message is clear: ASB will not be tolerated.
“To combat this slight increase, the Under-the-Bridge area in Garston has been identified as an area that will receive additional dedicated high visibility foot patrols and targeted patrols in 2025 as part of the hotspot programme. This is in addition to the great work the local officers, and partners, are already doing.
“We know that in other areas of Merseyside, the hotspot programme has had a positive effect on reducing crime, anti-social behaviour and increasing the confidence of the community. The Neighbourhood Team are working hard to ensure that Garston experiences similar success.”
On the ECHO’s Facebook page, Sallie Thomas said: “So give them something to do – where are the youth clubs – outdoor skate parks – outdoor gyms – public football pitches.
“We roamed the streets in the ‘80s but there were also places to go with things to do. Spain and other countries have free outdoor equipment and sports facilities available – seems the youth have nothing to do so get into trouble – such a shame.”
The area known as Garston-under-the-Bridge is being ravaged by anti-social behaviour, according to locals(Image: Supplied)
This was backed up by John Lee Shaw who said: “Give them a reason to enjoy getting out at the weekend. We don’t know what kind of home living conditions they may go back to.
“Start open-access ‘third spaces’ youth centres or, that are walk-ins 24/7 that inspire them to be creative and have fun whilst being supervised and safe so they aren’t on the street but with good role models.
“It’s not lawlessness you should be concerned about, it’s that they haven’t got somewhere that gives them a sense of purpose, fulfils practical learning needs and inspires them.”
Others disagreed and argued for a tougher approach. Claire Frodsham said: “There are no punishments. Start by taking their time away from them, make them do community work and adhere to a curfew.
“If the parents are the type that are not interested in disciplining their kids and keeping them on a short leash then community work for them also. If the problem persists, increase the punishment accordingly.
“Make the kids enrol in one of a million local clubs, football, rugby, martial arts, drama, dance etc etc to find something that interests them more than causing trouble.”
Alma Fleming added: “There’s no excuse for running riot and destroying other people’s property and making people’s lives a misery. As kids, we knew what the consequences were.”