Concerned members of the Huntwick and Verner Tenants’ and Residents’ Association say troublemakers – aged between eight and 14 – have terrorised one elderly and disabled couple on Huntwick Road so often that they are frightened to leave the house.

Karen Kerr, association chairman, said: “Youngsters are throwing anything they can at people’s properties, it’s beyond a joke.

“This frail old couple are absolutely petrified – last week members of the group went to clean the windows which were caked in mud and cracked by bricks. Enough is enough – this needs to stop.”

Karen said youths roaming the Huntwick and Verner estate have been a problem for several months.

She added: “It’s an ongoing problem and we’re pleading with parents to make sure their children are not out hurting and scaring people.

“They think they can do what they want, play football in the streets and damage old people’s properties but it’s not on. Parents need to think about where their children are and what they are doing.”