Residents in the Devon seaside town of Paignton, pictured, claim they live in fear of youths causing havoc in the area (Picture: Getty Images)
A Devon seaside town has become ‘overrun with feral knife-toting rooftop yobs as young as nine’, according to angry locals.
People living in Paignton – once viewed as one of the most beautiful seasonal locations in the country – say the place has gone markedly down hill over the past few years.
The town, which forms part of the English Riviera, has been neglected by the council and besieged by youths causing havoc, they claim.
Earlier this month police confirmed they had arrested an 11-year-old boy on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in a public place.
It was also reported that a group of children were causing damage to a shop and being abusive towards staff.
Urban explorer and YouTuber Wendall, who is originally from the Midlands, visited Paignton after reading the shocking claims.
During his visit, residents told him they lived in constant fear of gangs of youths.
Earlier this month an 11-year-old was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly following an incident at a Paignton shop (Picture: Devon Live/BPM Media)
On person said it was particularly dangerous at night.
‘You might get stabbed up by children,’ they said. ‘They’ll stab you for no reason at all and they’re about 12.’
Meanwhile, Melvyn, a Salvation Army bandsman who has lived in the area for 60 years, told Wendall he’d seen the town deteriorate.
‘I’ve been here since 1963 which is 60 years,’ he said. ‘I’m 80 years old, like everywhere in this country the deterioration is very noticeable now.
‘Lack of maintenance, the council either haven’t got the money or they spend it in different ways.
‘When I came here in ’63 the gardens were kept absolutely pristine. There’s a lot of unease around, people are not as relaxed as they were.’
A group of drunken 14- and 15-year-old girls had to be removed from Paignton Pier because of their behaviour, said police (Picture: Getty Images)
According to reports in The Express, county lines gangs have been recruiting children in the Torbay area to work as drug couriers.
Meanwhile in August, Inspector Chris Lithgow of Devon and Cornwall Police told the Mirror they were ‘dealing with youths involved in violent offences through the youth justice system’.
Last year Paignton Police said it received several reports of gangs of youths causing issues in the town centre and on the seafront, including shoplifting, confronting and threatening business owners, spitting and causing general disorder.
Police also mentioned one case where a group of drunken 14- to 15-year-old girls had to be escorted off the pier because of their behaviour, which included assaulting staff.
Residents say youths as young as nine are causing trouble in their area (Stock picture: Getty Images)
As well as anti-social behaviour, residents have complained about the demolition of a local shopping centre, pedestrianisation issues and a loss of car parking.
In August we reported on locals’ dismay over the council painting a cross roads in Paignton town centre with bright blue and red paint.
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The makeover is designed to make the road safer for both drivers and pedestrians, but residents weren’t impressed.
On wrote on social media: ‘Goodness me. Give the holidaymakers a good laugh I suppose. How to waste money – just ask Torbay.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted Torbay Council and Devon and Cornwall Police for comment.
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Paignton on the English Riviera in Devon was once viewed as one of the most beautiful seaside towns in England.