'Give the kids a sense of purpose, something that inspires them'

Residents of Garston say they are living in fear of gangs of teenagers and children

- By JAMIE GREER

THERE are disagreements on how best to tackle 'feral' antisocial behaviour in one part of Liverpool.

People living in an area of Garston have told the ECHO that their lives are being ruined by groups of youths setting off fires, smashing their way into homes and carrying knives.

Families are desperate to leave the area and calling on police to step up and take action. Our special report in Saturday's ECHO details shocking reports of residents having their doors and windows smashed, with some of the kids even trespassing inside while people are at home.

There are reports of racist and homophobic abuse being aimed at people, while kids under the age of 10 are said to be wandering around with knives and starting fires.

The issues are concentrated in Garston-under-the-bridge, between the railway bridge in Church Road and the River Mersey.

One woman, who asked not to be named, said: "These gangs of kids are going around intimidating people, smashing people's windows, starting fires, throwing things at people. It is absolutely horrible.