Bedworth residents: ‘We are too frightened to leave our homes’
Feb 4 2010
By Ben Eccleston
ANGRY neighbours who are now scared to leave their own homes have hit out at the youths making their lives a living hell.
Damage to homes, verbal abuse and violent attacks have begun to plague Cadman Close in Bedworth, and a recent altercation even saw a lady punched and spat at in the face.
Despite numerous phone calls to police, residents say they have gone unheeded and they have finally had enough.
One woman, who has lived at Cadman Close for 15 months, said: “In January there was an incident involving non-residents who are linked to one of the residents and during this incident I was punched and then spat at in the face.
“Other residents and myself were also verbally abused and criminal damage was carried out to my personal belongings. When I contacted the police, I was told by the officer that someone would be with me within the hour. The police were contacted on three occasions throughout the evening mentioned, but did not attend once to myself, neighbours or be seen to visit Cadman Close, which I am furious about.”
The trouble has escalated over the past few months according to residents with other incidents including sheds and waste bags being set on fire, damage and graffiti to stairwells, lights being broke leaving many families in darkness, and children and pensioners having abuse shouted at them.
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We have a good, close community here within the close and all neighbours are friendly. I no longer leave or enter my flat on my own after dark and am too scared to even go to my shed or visit the refuse bins on my own due to these incidents, which is very stressful for myself as I live on my own and feel very vulnerable. I also keep a constant watch on my vehicle and neighbours vehicles which are parked in the vicinity.”
Warwickshire Police were not available for comment
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