Shopkeepers suffer at hands of youths

Black Country shopkeepers are being terrorised by gangs of youths who are banging windows, shouting and climbing on roofs.

One shopkeeper, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals against him and his family or business, said police had been called to the Alderwood Precinct off Northway, Sedgley, nearly every day over the last three weeks. On one occasion youths climbed onto the roof of the shopping centre and started jumping up and down, terrifying his grandchildren.

He said the youths taunted Police Community Support Officers who patrolled the area.

"When the police officers come, they run off, but when it is the PCSOs they are not at all scared, they just say 'come on then'," he said.

The shopkeeper said when police asked him for the identities of the offenders, he gave them the name of a youngster who was hanging around with the gangs.

But after the police visited the girl, who is not thought to have actually committed any crimes herself, her mother came into the shop and smashed up a display.

Councillor Michael Evans said he had spoken to shopkeepers about the problem in the past, and police had used dispersal order powers stop youths from congregating.

Councillor Evans said he would be talking to both shopkeepers and the police to see what action could be taken.

Sgt Rob Simpson of Sedgley Neighbourhood Team said he was aware of problems with anti-social behaviour in the area.

"Local businesses have made us aware of an increase in anti-social behaviour from youngsters outside the shops on the Northway over the past few weeks," he said.

"We have stepped up patrols around the area and have spoken to shopkeepers about helping us to identify those who were causing the problems."

Sgt Simpson said closed-circuit television footage was being studied as part of the investigations.