A GANG of roof-hopping teen girls have been labelled “feral”; by disgruntled locals who said their lives have become a nightmare.
A group of between six and eight school-age teens, mostly girls, have been accused ofbanging on windows, kicking doors and running through gardens.
Residents in Whipton, , say the troublesome girls even throw slate and bricks, creating “horrendous”; noise.
The fire service, local councillor and even the city’s MP have all got involved.
Locals fear the teens are as much in danger of harming themselves as they are other people.
The of the Star Inn, Mike Crisp, fears somebody could get hurt.
He said: “They climb on roofs and throw slates and bricks. The noise can be horrendous.
“have taken them away in handcuffs, firemen have been needed to get them off the roofs. But still they return. Some residents are talking about taking the law into their own hands.
“That is not a good idea, but if the strong arm of the law can’t stop them, what do we do?”;
He said the problems started about six weeks ago when two girls were spotted climbing on the roof of the pharmacy.
“It’s gradually got worse and now more people are involved,”; he said.
The final straw came on Sunday when a group started throwing bricks at his wife, Sharon.
“I know a few people have complained to the councillor about it and I’m told a meeting is arranged with the police inspector.
“The MP is also going to talk to police.”;
Mike thinks the youths are aged between 13 and 15.
Most are girls but one lad threw the brick at Sharon. They were still causing trouble in the early hours of Monday morning when police were called again.
“One of my neighbours is terrified by them climbing through their garden at night,”; Mike said.
“Shopkeepers have told me their doors are being kicked by youths trying to get into the shops.
“I’m worried that kids are going to get hurt if they get caught by the shopkeepers or a householder where they’ve caused damage and there could be trouble.
“I’m not blaming the police but they don’t seem to be able to stop it.”;
Ward councillor Liz Pole said she was due to meet the police inspector on Wednesday and the concerns would be top of the agenda.
“We’ve been talking to a lot of residents this week who have experienced problems first hand with young people.
“There is a lot of sentiment in the area and concerns young people are being egged on and taking risks.
“We are just encouraging people to report incidents of anti-social behaviour and trespass and any intelligence to police.
“I’m aware of a few incidents involving young people taking risks with their behaviour. I don’t think it’s escalated into thefts but they are using ladders and climbing onto roofs.
“The main concern is for young people and to make sure they’re safe.
“The message needs to get to them that they are taking risks that are potentially harmful to them.”;
Exeter MP Steve Race said: “Residents in Whipton have been in touch to let me know about a concerning spate of anti-social behaviour.
“I know how worrying and disruptive this can be and I have contacted and Police for an update on the steps they will be taking to address this issue.”;
The Sun has contacted the police force for comment.
