FRUSTRATED Paul Melia has decided to take a stand against nuisance youths in his neighbourhood.

Mr Melia says he is so fed up with the lack of help he has received that he plans not to pay his council tax until something is done.

Mr Melia, 52, who lives in The Mead, Hawkinge, near Folkestone, says anti-social behaviour has been a problem for the last two years and has got a lot worse in the past three months.

He says he has had his front door kicked in, his property damaged, graffiti written on his fence, road signs dumped on his doorstep and obscenities shouted at him.

“Our police officer is trying his best but I feel I am getting very little support,” said Mr Melia, who has lived in Hawkinge for 12 years.

“I don’t feel I’m being listened to. I intend to withhold further council tax payments until some sort of protection is provided for me and my wife. I have the right to live a peaceful life.”

The grandfather has written to the chief executive of Shepway District Council, Alistair Stewart, and Chief Constable of Kent, Mike Fuller, with his concerns, which he says are shared by his neighbours.

He says he would like CCTV cameras installed in the village to stop the yobs.

Police spokesman Jon Green said extra police officers would be on duty in Hawkinge to try to stop the trouble.

“They will be talking to young people and their parents to try to find the small minority of youngsters who are responsible,” he said. “If this does not work we will look at getting anti-social behaviour orders.”

Shepway District Council spokesman Sarah Smith said: “Anti-social behaviour co-ordinator Shaun Taylor will be working with police officers on an initiative to reduce anti-social behaviour.”