YOUNG tearaways causing mayhem on the back streets of Morecambe are putting themselves in danger, claims a concerned local resident.

Gangs of youngsters, some as young as eight, have been seen running across the roofs of empty properties and breaking into derelict buildings. And Sue Garlick, who owns an unused building at the bottom of Green St, fears their antics could prove disastrous.

"They have run over the roof and made holes in it and even tried to dig through a wall," said Mrs Garlick, who has tried to make the former warehouse secure.

"I'm worried that they may get in and like all young kids try to start a fire. I just don't know what to do. You could put up World War II defences and they'd still get in. They are not only making a nuisance they are putting themselves in danger."

Mrs Garlick's worries are the latest in a growing tide of concern at the problem of young children misbehaving in the resort's backstreets.

Last week the Citizen reported how one resident, who claimed that his street had become a no-go zone, had sought legal advice to bring claims of negligence against the city council and the local police force.

Local councillor, Terrie Metcalf, said that she was aware of the concerns of residents and had called for a meeting between the police, social services and city council representatives to discuss possible solutions.

Said Cllr Metcalf: "It is obvious that the kids are under the age of prosecution and they know it but we're not just sitting back doing nothing, we're trying to get something done."

"The council's community director is in the process of organising a meeting to look at this. There's a shortage of spaces for kids to play but the meeting is soon and something will happen."

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