Numerous vehicles targeted by 'reckless' youths in St Helens

As reported by the Star last week, Amanda Hoban felt objects hitting her windscreen and her car beginning to shake as she drove home from a shift at Warrington Hospital on Thursday, February 17.

As she pulled over on Marshalls Cross Road to see the damage to her car, she found that her windscreen had been "chipped in several places".

Amanda Hoban (right) was on her way home from a shift at Warrington Hospital when her vehicle was targeted

The gang of youths responsible - both girls and boys - then approached Amanda and allegedly became verbally abusive towards her.

They also "threw a piece of concrete" at her which struck her on the leg before running off into nearby Sutton Park.

Since reporting on the incident, other residents in St Helens complained of similar issues happening to them, all around Sutton and Sherdley Park.

John Ashton's young son was in the car that was targeted

John Ashton also reported that his car was struck with stones as he drove down Marshalls Cross Road on Friday, February 18.

With his young son in the passenger seat, John was "raging" when the stone hit his back window and said it "could have been a lot worse".

Posting online, Annemarie Davies said she was "frightened to death" as a group of kids threw stuff at her vehicle on St Helens Linkway, close to Sherdley Park on Friday, February 18.

Annemarie, who also had her child in the car, said: "I understand that kids are kids but this is messing with people's lives and livelihoods having to pay for the damage!".

Another car that was targeted near Sherdley Park this month

Another motorist told the Star that his wife's car was struck with a rock near Sherdley Park on Monday, February 14, while their eight-year-old son was in the car.

Additionally, Daniel Tench reported a similar incident while Yvonne Whitaker stated that the side window of her van was smashed while driving on Elton Head Road over the weekend.

Daniel Tench's vehicle after being targeted

After the police were alerted of the assault of Amanda Hoban on Thursday evening, patrolling officers located two suspects on Sutton Park Drive.

The youths were given "strong words of advice" and their parents were spoken to, while two further boys made off from the scene and could not be located by officers.

With a rising number of vehicles being attacked by youths, police confirmed they are stepping up patrols in the Sherdley Park area.

Youths threw objects at Amanda Hoban as she checked her vehicle for damage

Community Inspector Jon Smith said: “This kind of reckless behaviour can have very serious consequences and it is extremely fortunate nobody was hurt on this occasion.

“This type of criminality can have a serious impact on drivers and passengers alike and we have stepped up high visibility patrols following reports of such behaviour. 

"I am appealing to parents and guardians of children to please check what your child is up to when they are out with friends, and make sure they are not participating in such a dangerous activity.

"Going forward, we also have a number of options available to tackle such behaviour, including dispersal zones and plain clothes officers on patrol. Where we receive reports of anti-social behaviour, we will not hesitate to take action.” 

Anyone with any information on this incident or anti-social behaviour in their community can direct message @Merpol on Twitter, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or call 101 or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.