Elderly people in a retirement area of Witham are facing intimidation from youths.

Some fear they can't take any more of the vandalism, damage and being frightened at night and may even have to move out.

Now police are appealing for them to name the culprits so they can take action, even though they may be frightened.

"These are not young children," says Anita Miller, Braintree Council's area estate manager for Howbridge housing estate. "They are older youths who are literally intimidating these elderly residents."

As well as causing damage, says Ms Miller, the teenagers use an unlit alleyway connecting Maltings Lane with Pelly Avenue to climb over bungalow fences at night, banging on doors and windows to frighten residents.

The problems have been reported to Witham police, "but we have not yet had a meeting at the troubled area," she explains.

A spokesman for Witham police said: "We are aware of the problems in that area ranging from vandalism, damage and nuisance which appears to be targeted at the elderly.

"We would ask those affected to give us the names of the youths so we can take action and also appeal for those involved to stop this behaviour and have some respect for the elderly."

"At least one elderly couple are so desperate about the intimidation they are considering moving.

''It would be a great shame if they were forced out of their homes by the actions of a small group of youths who are having such an effect on their quality of life.

"Ironically, these bungalows are fitted with exterior lights, but residents feel they can't afford the cost of having them on every night."

In a move to combat the problem, Anita Miller is asking Braintree and Witham councils to help pay for a street lamp to light up the alleyway.

"But there are mixed feelings about this from the councils. Witham town councillors feel it might actually worsen the problem," said Ms Miller.

A better approach, said Cllr Eileen Davidson, chairperson of Braintree's housing committee, would be to use a hi-tech solution -- capturing the youths on a mobile video system.

"Then we could gather some real evidence which we could use to resolve the problem. Lighting the area may simply move the problem on elsewhere."

Leader of Witham Council, Phil Barlow, said that this is not a problem which can be solved by either council acting alone.

"We need to adopt a multi-agency approach, with us, police and residents organisations working in conjunction together to defeat the problem.

"Witham town council are currently sceptical that additional lighting will help in this instance."

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