Residents are living in fear of youngsters from two Oxfordshire children's homes who are "running riot."

Alf Kenchington, 59, of Foxdown Close, Kidlington, told how he was threatened by a knife-wielding youth who allegedly vandalised his new £22,000 car.

He confronted two 15-year-old boys at nearby Thornbury House and was told by staff that one of the teenagers had taken a kitchen knife with a six-inch blade from a drawer.

Mr Kenchington today demanded that staff at the home at The Moors maintain tighter security.

And residents living next door to children's hostel Holme Leigh, in Banbury Road, north Oxford, want care facilities moved out of the residential area. Their lives are also being made a misery because of youngsters' rowdy behaviour.

Police in Kidlington said they were investigating after more than 15 residents complained that their cars were vandalised at the weekend. Officers have urged people not to carry out their threat to set up a vigilante group.

Mr Kenchington said: "People living in this area pay some of the highest council tax rates in the country and we don't need this. "Everyone is very angry and something needs to be done because if people get hold of these lads they could do them some damage."

Pensioners in Wise Avenue, Kidlington, also told how they woke up to find vandals had kicked over their stone gateposts.

For several months, residents living near Holme Leigh have suffered damaged property and said youngsters in care have repeatedly kept them awake at night by playing loud music.

In 1995, the children's behaviour improved following a number of complaints, but Barry Bowen, 66, said the situation had once again become unbearable.

Oxfordshire social services bosses have promised to try to tackle problems faced by residents living near both homes.

Story date: Friday 05 March

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