A FORMER city councillor says residents are living in fear due to encountering regular incidents of anti-social behaviour outside their homes.

Abdul Harid has been informed by members of the Belle Vue community that local properties are being regularly targeted by vandals. 

Mr Harid said: “I had a phone call from a Belle Vue resident recently. There is an elderly couple who had their garden fence set on fire by an arson attack and this has been happening regularly.

“Along the cul-de-sac, a number of residents have experienced similar incidents. This couple are vulnerable and are at an old age and just want to live peacefully in the comfort of their own home.

READ MORE: Level of anti-social behaviour in Carlisle drops

“They are scared and do not feel safe as there are regular occurrences of anti-social behaviour in the area.

“It’s something we need to address because we want people to feel safe in their own homes without that level of fear of being attacked.

“The person’s back garden fence had burned down, resulting in the fire service having to be called to put the flames out. It could have got even worse, with the house potentially catching fire.”

Mr Harid spoke to the News & Star following the news that reports of youth-related anti-social behaviour have dropped significantly in Carlisle city centre following a range of measures brought in to tackle the issue.

Carlisle’s Neighbourhood Police Team has been working with partners – as part of the Carlisle Local Focus Hub - to reduce problems in the heart of the city following concerns from the public and business staff in recent months.

Measures taken include arrests and interviews and young people being referred to north Cumbria’s child-centred policing team.

The officers in this specialist unit have been working with parents of the young people and the youths themselves to address the problems.

Other measures include officers working closely with schools, addressing the issues and providing talks to pupils on the damaging effects of anti-social behaviour.

READ MORE: Police appeal for witnesses after property fire in Carlisle