STAFF at an Ipswich shopping parade are seeking help to fight the battle against teenagers damaging their businesses.Almost every night gangs of youths gather outside the shops in Lavender Hill on the Chantry estate.

STAFF at an Ipswich shopping parade are seeking help to fight the battle against teenagers damaging their businesses.

Almost every night gangs of youths gather outside the shops in Lavender Hill on the Chantry estate.

Some have been blamed for acts of vandalism and other anti-social behaviour which puts off potential customers.

Now staff at the Community Shop want to fight back by installing CCTV cameras to provide a 24-hour vigil as a deterrent to such behaviour.

Manager John Haddock said: "The kids hang around at lunchtimes but are more of a problem at night when there can be as many as 60.

"The problem has got worse over the last 18 months and our takings are down considerably. They are a general nuisance.

"People say it is because they are bored but I can't see it as there is more to do today then there has ever been."

The equipment – a camera, monitor and video recorder – costs about £1200 a set and the shopkeepers want one at each end of the street so they can capture the vandals on film whichever way they are facing.

They are hoping businesses will help by donating cash for the surveillance gear.

Other shops in the row supported the Community Shop's appeal.

The owner of the newsagents next door said: "The youths that gather outside cause a lot of vandalism such as damaging cars. CCTV cameras would be a good idea."

NWhat do you think? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or visit the forum at www.eveningstar.co.uk