The Pretty UK Market Town That’s Turned Into A ‘nightmare’ As ‘feral Gangs’ Now Roam
Some residents have been left too afraid to leave their homes at night (Image: Cleveland Police/ Getty)
A gorgeous UK market town with surrounded by stunning countryside has turned into a “nightmare” as “feral gangs” roam the streets.
Guisborough, often called the gateway to the North York Moors National Park, has been plagued by a spate of crime and anti-social behaviour. The situation has gotten so bad that some residents have been left too afraid to leave their homes at night.
A series of disturbing incidents have taken place this year, with a break-in at Guisborough Pharmacy and Health Clinic, on Rectory Lane taking place last weekend.
Last month Cleveland Police also sent armed response teams to areas in the town after an alleged incident.
Guisborough has been plagued by a spate of crime and anti-social behaviour (Image: Getty)
Sarah Nelson, a Guisborough resident, was left with a “lost heart” following a devastating burglary at home while she was on holiday. Upon returning home she was welcomed with a smashed window, three cars outside the house with slashed tyres and a bike stolen.
Guisborough residents are now taking a stand and are calling for a more visible police presence and are even considering recruiting a private security firm. One resident told Teesside Live he has already approached a local security firm, adding that his town has become “a nightmare.”
“For what was such a lovely town it’s gone completely the opposite way. It’s horrific,” he said.
He added: “I’m getting messages from people saying they are scared to go out on a night or go out and walk their dogs. Windows are being smashed, cars damaged and it’s totally unprovoked. It’s a nightmare.
“CCTV is no deterrent as they wear balaclavas and hoodies. That’s just throwing money in the wrong area.”
In August there were 191 crime and anti-social behaviour incidents reported to police. This compared to 155 the previous August. However, Cleveland Police has said there have been “huge reductions” in residential break-ins and criminal damage with an overall crime reduction of more than 16% when compared to last year.
In a Facebook post Guisborough ward councillor, Bill Suthers said: “There has been a significant increase in anti-social behaviour in Guisborough recently.
“It has been bad for over a year now, with broken windows and feral gangs attacking shops. But, this weekend it reached a new low.”
Earlier this week hundreds of concerned locals gathered at a public meeting, organised by cllr Suthers to address the spate of anti-social behaviour.
Some 500 people attended, but as the hall at Sunnyfield House only holds approximately 200 people, the meeting was divided into two one-hour sessions. In order to accommodate those unable to get in, the windows of the hall were opened so people could listen from the garden.
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Guisborough is at the gateway of the stunning North Yorkshire Moors. (Image: Getty)
A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said the force was aware of concerns and the neighbourhood policing team inspector for the area, Inspector Neil Deluce, has made contact with a local councillor to share an update on how the force is tackling them.
The force said: “Whilst there has been an additional three business burglaries in Guisborough compared to last year, we’ve seen huge reductions in both residential burglaries of almost 67% and criminal damage of 90% – with a total overall crime reduction of 16.6%”.
Cleveland Police added that they “will continue to work with all our partners and the community itself to deal with those who persist in making life a misery for the law-abiding majority”.
Express.co.uk has approached Cleveland Police for comment
