Hadley fence plea for yob problem

Angry residents on a Telford estate today called for a metal fence to be put up behind their homes to guard against yobs who are hurling rocks and metal poles at them.

Youths are throwing missiles at residents of the Nettlefords estate in Hadley, with at least one man having a near miss when a scaffolding pole was thrown at him "like a javelin".

Residents today claimed the problem had been going on for months and they called for something to be done to stop it with a six foot high 70 metre fence put forward as a solution.

Police today pledged to support the move.

Councillor Pat Smart, chairman of Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council, said rocks and scaffolding poles were being thrown at homes from a raised former railway track, known as Perry Way, at the back of the houses.

She said: "One bloke has had a scaffolding pole thrown at him like a javelin. Luckily it didn't hit him.

"I've also been e-mailed by a desperate resident saying their car window was smashed by a missile which police think was thrown down from Perry Way.

"People now want the existing fence there to be extended by 70 metres to provide a barrier between them and the path."

Mrs Smart said some residents were considering moving away if the problem was not stopped.

She said: "These are good hard-working residents who take pride in the area and are exactly the type of people we want living here in Hadley."

Mrs Smart and Councillor Sean Thomas have arranged a meeting with Taylor Wimpey staff on March 3 to discuss the fencing, which it is estimated would cost about £3,000.

West Mercia Police has pledged its support for the green mesh fence, which would be screened with flowers.

Pete Simmonds, a spokesman for Telford police, said: "Any physical barrier or environmental engineering designed to help us stop or disrupt anti-social behaviour in our communities will always be welcomed."

Parish councillors will decide whether to fund the project at a meeting at Castle Farm Community Centre in Hadley at 7pm on March 1.

By Danny Carden