FURIOUS locals say their town is ruled by thugs as young as eight years old, who down cans of lager, go on wrecking sprees and torch iconic buildings.
The youths subject passers-by to intimidation, ride their scooters over roofs, and run away from police, residents have claimed.
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And the latest arson attack in Caerphilly, south Wales, on April 21 this year, has even left around 20 locals without broadband.
Debra Hale, 63, who runs a nearby shop, said yobs made the neighbourhood a “no-go area”.
She said: “These gangs of boys have made the street almost a no-go area.
“They gather outside my shop drinking cans of lager and smoking – some of them are only about eight years old.
“But if you go out to ask them to move and stop making so much noise, they just hurl abuse at you.
“Their language is awful. They swear and try and intimidate you. I’m sick of it.
“They’d been hanging around drinking and smoking on the day of the fire last month, then suddenly they disappeared.
“Next thing the building was ablaze and we were surrounded by fire engines and police cars. They’d scarpered.”
According to locals, the site of a derelict former market is a particular stomping grounds for the youths.
Resident Dewi Graham, who is 40 and an IT worker, lives in a house next to the market, said life had been made “absolute hell”.
He said: “I’ve seen the cops chasing these kids around the building in broad daylight, but they’re too quick for them and they get away.
“On the day of the latest fire, there were cops everywhere but as far as I know, no one was caught.
“They scrabble in through gaps in the fencing that’s suppose to keep them out – like rats.
“The sooner it’s demolished, the better.
“It’s absolute hell having to live right next to it with all these little thugs trying to burn it down every few months. My house could catch fire.”
Fran Keirle, 46, who runs a seafood restaurant next to the market, said the gangs had also had a disastrous effect on business – and made the area look like an “absolute mess”.
She said: “These kids, some of whom can’t be older than eight or nine, are just running amok here.
“I’ve seen them riding scooters across the roof of the old market and jumping across gaps in the structure.
“I’m amazed no one’s been killed.
“I used to be a teacher so I know boys of this age need things to do, but this is just not safe for them. They need a safe place to let off steam and be boys.
“If there was a security guard at the building or at least active CCTV cameras, maybe they’d stop using this dangerous building as a playground, but there’s nothing.
“It has hit my business hard. The street looks an absolute mess.
“There are weeds growing waist-high, broken glass everywhere and police tape lying around. It looks so scruffy. Why would anyone want to spend their money here?
“I’ve tried tackling the kids myself. I told them to get down off the roof before they hurt themselves, but all I got was foul language and jeered at.
“Running a business here has become a nightmare.
“Every time these lads set fire to the building, I get dozens of texts and phone calls telling me my restaurant is on fire too.
“It is just so bad for business – and now we’ve lost our broadband too because of the latest fire.”
Like Dewi, Debra, who has run a gift shop next to the premises for the last 30 years, thinks the building should be bulldozed.
She blames council “dithering” – a promise to demolish the derelict building in March and put a mix of modern apartments and commercial units in its place has yet to materialise – and feral gangs of youths for her economic woes.
“Now the building looks even more of a wreck and the broadband has gone down for around 20 homes and businesses in the street. There’s a huge hole in the roof and the windows have melted.
“The council needs to do what it prosed and pull the building down, then put something in its place that brings the customers back. Most of the businesses here have closed down now because it’s such a mess.
“I own my premises so I’ll stay and try and survive, but my takings are being decimated meanwhile. I’ve just got to try and hang on in here until the area is redeveloped.”
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Caerphilly council announced in March that work will be starting on demolishing the sad-looking street, as part of their “Caerphilly Town 2035 masterplan”.
The disused units that are continuously falling victim to anti-social behaviour are due to be knocked down and replaced by a modern apartment complex, creating 72 properties and seven new commercial units.
A council spokesperson said: “The redevelopment of the former indoor market on Pentrebane Street will bring much-needed housing to the town centre as well as a healthy mix of commercial and retail units.
“Site preparation began in March with demolition scheduled immediately once utility companies disconnect their services.
“In the meantime, additional hoardings have been placed around the site to offer protection against intruders and work has progressed to ensure demolition can take place safely with minimal disruption to neighbouring residents and businesses.”
Bethan Pendry, another local in Caerphilly, said: “People live above these shops. Whoever is setting these fires needs a lesson on this. It is so dangerous – fires can go crazy at any second.”
A spokesperson for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) said: “SWFRS received a call at approximately 18:39 on Monday 21st April to reports of a fire in a property on Clive Street, Caerphilly.
“Crews and appliances from Caerphilly, Cardiff Central and Pontypridd attended the scene. Four breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets, one main jet, two thermal imaging cameras and combi tools were used to extinguish the fire.”
A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: “We received a report of a fire at a disused property in Clive Street, Caerphilly at around 6.40pm on Monday 21 April.
“Officers attended along with the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
“An unknown person is believed to have set fire to the building deliberately sometime between 6pm and 6.40pm on Monday 21 April.
“There were no reports of any injuries and our enquiries are ongoing.”
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