'Gangs make me want to stay out of city centre'

Huge crowds of teenage yobs are attacking and abusing shoppers, say worried locals

- By LIAM THORP

PEOPLE say they are being put off from travelling to areas of Liverpool city centre because of gangs of youths intimidating passers-by.

The ECHO has been sent images and videos of large groups of young people that have been gathering around Liverpool ONE and Chavasse Park in recent months.

Locals claim they have seen drug dealing taking place, while others say they have been spat at, kicked and verbally abused.

Merseyside Police says it is aware of the issues.

The force says it will not tolerate groups intimidating people living in and visiting the city and is considering further actions such as dispersal orders.

One city centre resident, who asked not to be named, described what he has seen from his window in recent months.

He said: "The problem has been getting progressively worse.