Youths running riot in Pinehurst (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Youths running riot in Pinehurst

8:48am Monday 28th January 2008 in Swindon

RESIDENTS are calling for action to be taken against gangs of youths who are running riot in Pinehurst .

In the latest in a series of incidents, they torched two unoccupied houses in Beech Avenue - putting residents living nearby in fear for their lives.

A burnt-out shell is all that remains after arsonists set fire to the buildings on Friday evening.

Residents have said it is lucky no-one was killed.

Tracey Hodge, who lives in Beech Avenue, says a gang of youths have been targeting the derelict home for months.

"It was lucky it wasn't when everyone was asleep or someone could have been killed," said the 40-year-old.

"Everyone came out of their homes really quickly because we were all worried it would spread.

"The fire brigade told us that if the wind had been blowing the other way it would have spread to the houses on the other side.

"It could have been much worse than it actually was. We were lucky."

Mrs Hodge, who has lived in the area for more than a decade, said neighbours have experienced problems with a group of youngsters for the past six months.

"At first it was just three or four of them throwing stones at the empty house and it wasn't too bad," she said.

"Now there are 18 or 19 of them, from about seven years old up to 17 or 18 years old.

"They are running riot. Something needs to be done about them. We were promised those houses would be knocked down months ago, but they haven't been."

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said she couldn't sleep at night. They are terrorising us," said the 31-year-old.

"You can't go to sleep for worrying about what is going to happen, it could be you next.

"The police have been good and will always come out but it just isn't enough. But that's not their fault."

Ian Maddison, who lives in Pinehurst, said the problems were getting worse.

"I don't live in Beech Avenue, but I think there is more anti-social behaviour around Pinehurst," said the 52-year-old.

"I guess it's a problem everywhere but it is worrying when you are in the middle of it."

Inspector Ian Bamber, of Swindon police, said that they were treating Friday night's incident as arson.

"We have arrested an 18-year-old male and he was taken to Gablecross police station to be interviewed, before being released on police bail," he said.

"But we believe there may have been other people involved.

"We are appealing for witnesses in relation to this and would ask for anyone who was in the area or who could tell us something to progress our enquiries to get in touch with us."Anyone with information about the fire, should contact Swindon Police on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.