9:01am Wednesday 1st August 2007
By Craig Manning
TEENAGE hit squads are roaming the streets of Birkenhead preying on the homeless in so-called "happy slap" attacks recorded on their mobile phones.
One aid worker has described the youths as turning "hunting for homeless people into a sport".
The disadvantaged say youths on bicycles coral each other together on their phones after spotting potential victims on the town's streets.
Extra police and community patrol officers have been drafted in to help tackle the problems and reassure those living on the streets. But some of the homeless who spoke to the Globe last week said it is not enough for those who have nowhere else to go.
John Evans, 50, has been living on the streets for 15 years and was beaten by a gang earlier this week.
He said: "I need to use a crutch to walk and these lads grabbed it off me and started hitting me with it. It was really frightening."
And he fears the worst is yet to come.
"I want this sorted out because a lot of people I know are frightened that they are going to be attacked."
Lee Hughes, a former hostel worker from Liverpool, agreed. The 36-year-old, who has been on the streets for 18 months following the breakdown of a relationship, described the latest attacks as "atrocious".
"I've been punched in the face and am verbally abused, virtually daily," he said.
When I see a group of lads I get very apprehensive and scared that they are coming to attack me. The police aren't doing enough to protect people like us. We are just a problem that they have to deal with."
Councillor Adrian Jones, who sits on the Merseyside Police Authority, said: "What can be more cowardly than a bunch of young scallies organising themselves with mobile phones to co-ordinate attacks on helpless people?
"This sickening behaviour comes at a time when crime is going down and Wirral people are quite rightly beginning to feel safer."
Pastor Rob Jeffs, who runs the town's Charles Thompson Mission that provides free meals and daytime shelter for the homeless, says the incidents have led to a heightened state of fear for many - although he praised the police for their efforts.
"It's been going on for a long time and many people are frightened to go back out onto the streets at night," said Rob. "We're talking about people who are vulnerable and frightened.
"For example, there was one man who didn't know what happy slapping was until he was attacked by someone who filmed it on a mobile phone. But the police have been great in dealing with the problem."
Bridie Metcalfe, who gives food and clothes to people outside the Charles Thompson mission each day, said: "There are about 12 people who constantly get abused, and that's because people know where they are and the problem is they don't report the incidents.
"Kids ride past on their bikes and use mobile phones to call their mates and tell them where the homeless people are.
"They come here for a change of clothes and food, but because of what's going on they are like cats on a hot-tin roof, looking over their shoulders fearing that they will be next.
"Sometimes we can be standing in the yard and lads will ride past on their bikes.
"Not long after more people will turn up. They have turned hunting for homeless people into a sport."
David Bond, 35, originally from Kirkby, in Knowsley, has lived rough in Birkenhead for 17 years.
He says he was beaten up just weeks ago but did not report it to police because he felt that would be "pointless".
Up until a few months ago Jayne Hulse was homeless and now lives in a hostel.
She told the Globe that she was beaten up and blinded with a golf club by as she tried to help a man who was being attacked by youths a few weeks ago. The attack left her with serious injuries and needed an eye operation.
She attends the Charles Thompson Mission in Birkenhead on a daily basis and said police should be doing more to protect the homeless.
Lee Ainsley, aged 27, also lives in a hostel.
He has not been the victim of an attack but he feels teenagers should have more respect for those who are less fortunate than them.
"Filming people as they're getting beaten up is just awful. It's a problem which is getting out of control," he said.
Detective Inspector George Davies said: "Extra police officers have been drafted in to the area as a further means of public reassurance and the police are currently working closely with partner agencies with links to the homeless community.
"I would appeal to anyone who may have information or who has been attacked in the Birkenhead town centre area, and not already contacted police, to contact Birkenhead CID."
Councillor Adrian Jones, who sits on the Merseyside Police Authority, said: "What can be more cowardly than a bunch of young scallies organising themselves with mobile phones to co-ordinate attacks on helpless people?
"This sickening behaviour comes at a time when crime is going down and Wirral people are quite rightly beginning to feel safer. "But these no-brainers' depravity will set the popular perception of public safety back years.
"If they think that even in their own circles they'll emerge with some sort of warped street cred for being tough' they're complete idiots.
"They'll just be despised as cowards for the rest of their lives."
Witnesses or anyone with information should call 0151 777 2264 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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