Gangs of girls are targeting stores in north Farnborough causing misery for traders and shoppers, retailers have claimed.

Some shopkeepers in the Fernhill Road-Sandy Lane area are refusing entry to the teenagers in an effort to prevent antisocial behaviour.

They say customers are being deterred from entering their businesses because of the activities of the female troublemakers, which include smashing windows and using foul and abusive language.

Residents told gethampshire that their cars parked in lay-bys near to the shops were “sitting ducks” for the troublemakers, who they say, scratch body-work, smash wing mirrors and tear off windscreen wipers.

Heather Lovelock, assistant manager of the Co-op super-market in Fernhill Road, said many elderly customers had expressed concern about the gangs being outside the shop.

“You see some kids hanging about and it does put off some of the customers, especially the elderly, from coming in the shop,” she said.

“Some of the shopkeepers are even intimidated when these kids come in and try to buy alcohol and cigarettes.”

Language

Toni King, a customer at Co-op, said she often thought twice about shopping there because of the problems that the groups of teenagers create.

“Their language is just awful,” the childminder said. “I don’t like bringing the children here as they get to hear all the swearing and bad language.

“It’s terrible really. There’s just no need for it. I’d imagine that lots of people would feel intimidated by a large group of young people spouting colourful language.”

The 19-year-old added: “They haven’t got anywhere else to go as there isn’t much for the kids to do here, but this sort of behaviour is not on.”

Another shopper, who did not want to be named, said troublemakers should receive harsher penalties.

“All they get is a slap on the wrist, which is almost an invitation to do it again,” she said. “They know that if they’re under 18 the courts can’t touch them so they just carry on with whatever they’re doing.”

Menacing

The woman said she had encountered “menacing” gangs who made her feel uncomfortable.

“I’m not old or frail but it certainly makes you feel worried if you just nip out for a loaf of bread and encounter these young people,” she said.

Anthony Silver, who works in Noel’s Fishing Tackle shop in Fernhill Road, said the front windows of his shop had been shattered several times.

“It’s a problem that we have to endure here,” he said. “The cost of having to replace the windows runs into thousands of pounds, which means I’ve got to find that money from my stock.”

Mr Silver said a gang of yobs assaulted him last year outside his shop.

He added: “I was kicked and punched for no reason at all. We’re peaceful people here, but things are getting difficult for us. You wonder what anybody can do about anything really.”

He said vehicles parked near his shop were often subjected to vandalism.

One Sandy Lane resident said she had to chase away a gang of girls who were attacking her vehicle.

The woman, who didn’t want her name published, added: “It’s as if we’re sitting ducks. They just turn up with cans or booze or whatever and treat your property as if it’s rubbish.

"Luckily, I managed to shoo them away before they did any real damage. They had keyed the side of it and I thought they were going to break in.”

Tough

Cllr Stephen Masterson, Rushmoor Borough Council’s safety and regulation portfolio holder, said the council took a tough stance towards antisocial behaviour.

“Residents should not have to live in fear because of other people’s inappropriate behaviour,” the Tory said. “There are no ifs, buts and ands with this — antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated.”

He said he would consider implementing a Section 30 dispersal zone in the Fernhill Road area, similar to measures imposed in Broomhill Road, Twelve Acre Road and St John’s Road last month.

Under the order, police are able to move on groups of two or more people if they believe that members of the public will be intimidated, harassed or distressed by them. 

Cllr Masterson added: “Law abiding residents should feel safe in going out of their homes to the shops at any time of the day. This sort of behaviour by the minority is unacceptable.”

On February 19 last year a 66-year-old man was stabbed in the back and leg at the Coral bookmaker’s shop in Fernhill Road.

Pc Kath Burton, beat manager for Fernhill and St John’s, said the only way police could deal with troublemakers was if they received information about them.

She added: “We are working hard to reduce levels of antisocial behaviour but we cannot be everywhere at the same time and this makes the assistance provided by the wider community all the more vital.”

Residents can call the police on 0845 0454545.