Angry Leigh residents say they feel like becoming vigilantes because of constant graffiti, vandalism and petty crime by yobs.

One resident, David Nicholls, 68, of Rayleigh Road, Eastwood, said he felt "murderous" towards youngsters who had spray-painted his home more than 40 times, and said the only arrest made had been a citizen's arrest by him.

He said: "It makes me feel murderous but because I'm a law-abiding citizen I am aware what I can and can't do. There's been only one arrest. I arrested the kid myself."

Mr Nicholls was speaking at the monthly police community consultative meeting held at Belfairs High School in Highlands Boulevard, Leigh last night.

The meeting came just weeks after a 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given a referral order and ordered to pay Southend Council £100 compensation last month after handing himself in to police for graffitiing the Leigh area.

Superintendent Steve Currell of Southend police, who was also attending the meeting, said: "We have to deal with what intelligence shows us are the priorities rather than pandering to people's requests to have police patrolling everywhere all the time."

Published Friday, June 20, 2003

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