TEENAGE tearaways are tormenting elderly residents in the Walton area of Felixstowe – making their lives a misery.Pensioners in Taunton Road and Exeter Road today called for a curfew to be put on the recreation ground near their homes to try to stop the problems.

TEENAGE tearaways are tormenting elderly residents in the Walton area of Felixstowe – making their lives a misery.

Pensioners in Taunton Road and Exeter Road today called for a curfew to be put on the recreation ground near their homes to try to stop the problems.

They say the youngsters roaming the area are stopping them sleeping, leaving them scared to go outside, and they are afraid at what damage might be done to their properties.

One woman – who did not wish to be named in case she was picked on even more – said the mess they found each morning was dreadful.

"These packs are roaming until 11.30pm at night – some of them are still at junior school or just at high school. What do the parents think they are out doing until that time?" she said.

"One night they had a wheelchair out there and we saw them break it up. They look through people's windows, bang on them, and shine a torch into rooms.

"When people have opened their doors to speak them they just get a mouthful of abuse and swearing. It's horrible."

Another resident said empty milk bottles had been hooked onto door handles so when people opened their doors they fell off and smashed, leaving glass all over the path.

"We are elderly people and some of us are not well. We don't want all this. We just want to live quietly," he said.

"But all we get is abuse, youngsters screaming and charging about late at night, and in the mornings gardens filled with drink cans and fish and chip papers.

"If there was a curfew put on Walton Rec then they would not have an excuse to come here or anywhere to hide when the police come – it would give the police more reason to deal with them."

A small wooded area at the end of the bungalows, where there is a path through to the roundabout at Garrison Lane-Candlet Road was also a gathering place for older teenagers, though they didn't interfere with the elderly residents.

A police spokeswoman said officers were not aware of major problems in the area but recognised that the youngsters' behaviour could be distressing. Anyone experiencing such incidents should call police immediately, using 999 if necessary.

Community police officers patrolled the area regularly and would step up patrols if there was a specific problem. She appealed for the residents affected to call Pc Jason Berry or Pc Mark Boast on 01473 613500.