Mother has window smashed at Sway home as youths go on rampage for second time in a week

YOUTHS continue to plague villagers in Sway - with the latest incidents involving more rocks being smashed through windows.

Kitchers Close was targeted again, along with Brighton and Manchester roads and Durrant Way.

As reported by the A&T, police were called after reports large stones were being thrown at a house and car on Kitchers Close on Saturday 25th January.

Other residents said they also witnessed vandalism and anti-social behaviour by the gang, who have been causing trouble in the village since the end of 2023.

Last Thursday, more rocks were hurled at properties in the village, with one resident whose kitchen window was smashed saying she was alone with her children when her home was attacked.

“There was a massive smash,” she said. “I called 999 and the police came straight away. They were very thorough and told me that there would be a police presence in the village for the night.”

Another woman reported her house was also targeted, saying: “We have had something thrown at the side of the house. Hubby saw a couple running down towards the village and security lights came on.”

One man who spotted some youths in an alleyway attempted to speak to them, but had stones thrown at him.

Another villager said he, too, encountered the gang. “I heard a group of lads walking up shouting [N word] at the top of their voices in competition who could shout it the loudest it seems. It was going on quite a while.”

As reported, Sway has been the scene of several incidents over the last year involving a small gang of youths who residents believe are traveling into the village by train to cause trouble.

The village is now demanding police step up patrols.

Police have previously advised residents to report all incidents to them by ringing 101, or going online. They have also said that if there is a threat to life, or a threat of injury they should dial 999.

The parish council are in the process of setting up a Neighbourhood Watch for Sway but residents are demanding action now, with one saying: “It really is frightening. Sway is so small. I have no idea why the village is being targeted, but we have to end what is going on.”

A spokesperson for the parish council said: “We are very concerned at the anti-social behaviour which the village has been suffering in recent times. We are taking a number of steps to try and address the issue for our residents.

“We are in regular contact with the neighbourhoods team at Hampshire police; we launched the Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the autumn and are building up a team of 'road champions' to support residents and share information.

“We have recently offered a base at the youth centre, next door to the Co-op, to be used as a drop-in location for the police; if they accept then it provides an opportunity for additional police presence in the centre of the village.

“We are already engaging with The Handy Trust to look at the provision of detached youth work in the village, alongside our Friday evening youth club.

“We continue to encourage the reporting of any and every instance of ASB, to enable the police to have a clear picture of what is happening. Certainly the police response has increased since the reports have.”