A GANG of up to 20 youths are terrorising older people living in a quiet Greenock street.

Shocked residents on Glamis Drive in Fancy Farm say they have been subjected to a relentless onslaught of anti-social behaviour throughout the festive period.

Over the last six weeks, they have had to call the police and community wardens ‘dozens’ of times because of the trouble-makers, some as young as around 10.

People who are too frightened to publicly come forward for fear of reprisals say that the youths run riot in the street after dark, stealing wheelie bins and setting them on fire and vandalising cars.

One even smashed a house window.

One 68-year-old woman, too afraid to be identified, said: “I have had my wheelie bin stolen and set on fire. They just come into your garden, take it and run down the street. They have already damaged my car and my neighbour’s car. We have some vulnerable neighbours who live alone and I am concerned for them.

“We have been looking after them.  You just worry they will be targeted as well.

“I have lived here for 16 years and this has never happened before, Glamis Drive is really quiet and it is mostly older people who live here. But the last six weeks have been terrible. Every night it starts you just keep hoping they will move on.”

Police and community wardens have been on regular patrols in the neighbourhood and the fire service are regularly called out.

The concerned gran added: “One woman went out to shout at them for damaging her car, so they smashed her house window. It is scary.

“They take the wheelie bins in the field round the back and set them on fire. The fire brigade are never away from here.

“You hear the youngsters congregating at night. Some of them can’t be any older than 10. I think the problem is that the police and authorities can’t do anything about it.”

Another neighbour added: “They must have stolen 50 wheelie bins and set them on fire. The fire brigade have been up here up to four times a week and we must have phoned the police about 20 times.”

Local councillor Keith Brooks was alerted to the incidents by the Tele and visited Glamis Drive yesterday to speak to neighbours. He today vowed to put pressure on the authorities for a crackdown.

Councillor Brooks said: “I will do everything I can to put a stop to this. I will speak to the anti-social behaviour team and Chief Inspector Elliot Brown to put the residents’ concerns to them and make sure something will be done.”

Sergeant Laura Stewart of Greenock police confirmed that they are aware of incidents in the area.

She said: “We will not tolerate this and we are working with our partners in the council to tackle the problem. I would urge people to continue to report incidents to us.”

Fire Station Manager at Greenock, Kevin Hughes said: “The majority of young people in Greenock would be appalled if they saw  someone setting a deliberate fire.

“Such reckless actions can cause a serious danger to life, property and the environment.

“I appeal to the public in particular within affected neighbourhoods and young people to call or contact Crimestoppers. 

“Alternatively, residents can contact the Inverclyde Warden Service on 0800 0131701.”

Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contacted through their website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org