A couple's peaceful seaside holiday was ruined by intimidating youths and youngsters driving round the town centre at high speeds late at night.

Peter and Margaret Lake said they felt safer in their home area of Walthamstow, east London, than they did on their visit to Clacton

Mr and Mrs Lake enjoyed most of their five-day stay at The Shannon Guest House in Agate Road, except for the problems that plagued them each evening.

Mr Lake, 62, said: "We had a good time in Clacton apart from one aspect and that was the younger element tearing around the town on scooters late into the night making a hell of a din."

Mrs Lake, 61, said they regularly visit Clacton and felt the situation with the youngsters was the worst they had ever encountered.

They were concerned that there was a lack of police presence on the streets to deal with the issue.

Insp Pete Smith, of Clacton police, said they were aware of the problem and were putting in measures to deal with it.

He said: "We have police community support officers walking the town centre with the problem-solving team in an effort to alleviate this issue."

Published Wednesday August 18, 2004

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