PEOPLE who live near Baltic House, a privately run children's home in Waterfoot, claim that some of its teenagers are running riot.

They are so worried that they have contacted local MP Janet Anderson in a desperate attempt to get some peace of mind.

Their concern is understandable.

The allegations came the day after four residents from the home appeared at Preston Crown court accused of tieing up and robbing two care workers.

The youngsters, aged between 14 and 16, pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and taking a car without authority and are to be sentenced next month.

Two other residents, aged 13 and 14, appeared before Rawtenstall magistrates on Wednesday accused of burglarly and unauthorised taking of a car; another has absconded and a further teenager was charged with damaging a door after an incident on Sunday.

What we find absolutely mind boggling is the reaction to all this from manager Amanda Lunn.

She said these are "obviously damaged young people, who at various times will become angry. That anger can, on occasions, be focussed in such a way that property is damaged." And she went on to say these sort of incidents were happening at similar establishments all the time.

If this is the attitude of those in charge, heaven help the poor people who live near to Baltic House and similar establishments.

When residents can tie up care workers, steal cars and abscond they are clearly out of control.

It is no consolation to hear it happens in other establishments.

It would appear there is little point in sending unruly teenagers to homes where there seems to be very little control.

The whole system needs to be urgently reviewed. Teenagers should be leaving establishments like Baltic House as better citizens, not carrying on in this disgraceful manner.

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