Yobs' arson attacks leave Surbiton pensioners living in fear

7:32am Wednesday 5th March 2008

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Rampaging youths have left a group of Surbiton pensioners afraid to leave their flats after terrorising them over a fortnight - prompting police advice to remove doormats.

Over the last two weeks, they have seen their property vandalised, their belongings set fire to and have faced abuse when they dared to confront those they believe are responsible.

"This place has turned into the slum of Kingston and Surbiton."

Marey Moulton

More than half the residents at Headley in King Charles Road, Surbiton, are in sheltered accommodation, with some as old as 95.

During the half term holiday, a teen was spotted setting fire to a vase of decorative twigs, just inches from one resident's front door. Two days later, bicycle tyres were set alight outside another flat.

It has got so bad that police warned residents to remove everything from their hallways - including doormats - for fear the youths could start an even bigger fire.

One elderly woman, who is too scared to be named, said: "We should not be living here, old people like us. I'm scared to go out."

Resident Marey Moulton, 77, said: "It's at night time we are scared. It is absolutely terrifying. This place has turned into the slum of Kingston and Surbiton. It is a disgrace. If we get any more problems I want to leave here."

Graffiti has been sprayed along their stairs in three blocks and youths are often spotted smoking cannabis outside their front doors.

Residents have demanded that the front door to their block should be locked, with only residents having a key.

Councillor Frances Mosley said CCTV could be a solution but a council spokeswoman said the council was not in the "financial position" to install cameras.

A spokesman for Kingston police said: "Berrylands safer neighbourhood team is aware of the recent arsons and is concerned with catching those responsible as soon as possible.

"It has done some leaflet drops warning residents of the arsons and asking people living in the blocks to take preventative action in the form of moving mats and other items inside their homes.

"It is also doing reassurance patrols as much as it can to remain visible and it has spoken to residents to gather information - although, to date, no one has been able to assist it with suspects."

The team has arranged a meeting with the estate manager this week to discuss this and other matters.

The police spokesman said: "Unfortunately, the arsons have been random, at differing times and there was no pattern to them.

However, Kingston police will continue to gather information and make every attempt to stop this callous behaviour. If you have any information, please contact Kingston police and, in the case of an emergency, call 999."