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National
Sophie Doughty

Whitley Bay pensioner terrorised by gangs of yobs throwing eggs and for sale sign at his home

This is the moment a pair of yobs targeted a pensioner's bungalow by hurling a stolen for sale sign at it.

In this one of a string of attacks, the two lads can be seen walking brazenly towards the home carrying the wooden missile before one pulls up his hood while the other pelts the sign towards the property, as if throwing a javelin.

The homeowner, Shaun Hillerby, says his house has been attacked eight times this year by a group of anti-social teens who have been terrorising residents of Whitley Lodge in Whitley Bay for months.

Go here for the latest crime news and breaking North East police updates

And today as he reveals doorbell footage of the incidents the 67-year-old has told how the yobs' behaviour has left residents feeling unsafe in their homes at night.

Shaun said: "It is frightening when you are sitting in your house. You are always waiting for something to happen.

Retired roofer Shaun has lived at Whitley Lodge for almost 15 years.

Shaun Hillerby (Newcastle Chronicle)

He said the estate had been a quiet and pleasant place until around two years ago when the area started to be plagued by anti-social behaviour.

What Shaun describes as "unruly mobs of youths" have regularly attacked homes by throwing eggs, bottles or whatever they can get their hands on at the properties, he said.

And in one incident lads pulled a for sale sign out the ground and threw it at Shaun's home. The doorbell footage then captures the pair running away at speed.

While a number of Shaun's neighbours have also been victims of the troublesome gang, the pensioner believes he has become a particular target since he challenged them when they three items at an 85-year-old woman's home.

"It's not just my house, but I'm getting most of it," he explained. "I have had eight attacks on the house since the start of the year.

"I went and chased them and after that they found out where I live so I have been targeted more than most.

"I think it's just kids trying to impress each other and they think they are going top get away with it.

"It always happens at around the 7pm mark. They congregate around the shops and go around in gangs."

Shaun is now urging Northumbria Police to increase patrols around Whitley Lodge to end the residents' misery.

Item's that have been thrown at Shaun's house (Newcastle Chronicle)

"There's nothing being done, there's no police presence at all," he said. "What we need is a police presence between about 7pm and 8.30pm."

Insp Phil Banks, of Northumbria Police, said officers were aware of the incidents and were working to identify those responsible.

“We know that the anti-social behaviour of a minority can have a significant and detrimental effect on the communities we serve," he said.

“That is why we are committed to tackling pockets of disorder through proactive policing and dedicated operations which we run throughout the year to tackle anti-social behaviour.

“We are aware of a number of recent incidents in this area and will continue to work closely with our partners and the public in order to identify perpetrators and ultimately bring them to justice. We would always encourage victims or anyone concerned with anti-social behaviour to report it to us.

“I would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support and cooperation as we look to ensure our region remains as safe as it possibly can be for all who live, work and visit here.”

Go here for the latest crime news and breaking North East police updates

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