A GANG of louts as young as 14 has been terrorising a high street by smashing windows, stealing and threatening shopkeepers.
The shameless teens have been filmed running amok on CCTV, with one taunting a store owner: “The police are never going to help you.
A gang of louts as young as 14 has been terrorising a high street by smashing windows, stealing and threatening shopkeepers[/caption]
Phone shop owner Muhammad Usman says his store is being terrorised by a gang of youths[/caption]
“You can film me all you want.”
Shops on Shirley High Street, near Southampton, have suffered a prolonged campaign of anti-social behaviour from the young mob — which has also included starting fires.
Phone shop owner Muhammad Usman declared: “It’s getting worse day by day.
“I’ve never had this kind of experience in my life before.
“We’re feeling so helpless.”
He has suffered months of abuse and claims a teenager threatened to kill him.
Another nearby store owner, Nnenna Okonkwo, tearfully added: “It’s ridiculous that it’s just a couple of teenagers causing this mayhem.”
One gang member — a girl of 14 in pink leggings and Crocs — told the BBC she gets an “adrenaline boost” from getting in trouble with the police.
Local beat bobby PC Tom Byrne told the Beeb the problem was being dealt with.
But he added: “We do need to remember we are dealing with young people.”
He insisted “there will be consequences” but the response needs to be appropriate when it comes to children.
