TRADERS on a district shopping parade claim they are being plagued by gangs of teeny terrors.

And the shopkeepers in Bassenthwaite Avenue, Moss Bank, have called for an increased police presence to deter the youngsters, some aged as young as eight.

Among the catalogue of crimes listed by the harrassed traders are stealing, setting fire to public wastebins, physically and verbally abusing shop staff and damaging shop signs.

One disgruntled shopkeeper - who wished to remain anonymous - who has traded at the parade for 16 years, told the Star: "I've been in the business long enough to know that you always get naughty kids and that sometimes they'll cause problems, particularly in the school holidays. But this group are real hard cases who don't give a damn. If you tell them off they just look right through you and carry on, or they shout a load of abuse at you.

"Some of the parents are no better. You tell them about it and they reply 'just tell them off.' You can't win."

Another shopowner, who also didn't wish to be named, said: "Our shop is like a safe when we leave it at night with grilles on the front and back. We don't have a choice anymore because of these kids. The problem has quietened down slightly since school started up again but they are still here at night.

"Also, you hear of people living in the houses overlooking the back of the shops who have had bits of carpet stolen which the gangs use as bedding on the shop roofs. I have had stuff stolen but when you tell them off they just swear at you.

"The only good thing is that it is never a problem getting rid of rubbish - just leave it round the back and the kids will either burn it or steal it!"

A resident of Queensway, where the houses back onto the Bassenthwaite Street shops, commented: "We have been plagued with gangs of kids and none of them look older than 14. It is slightly quieter in the daytime when they are in school but it's still the same at night.

"Our shed was burgled while we were away and I'm sure the kids were behind it. I don't think we even have a community police officer anymore but there needs to be some police presence if we are ever to solve the problem."

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