A FAMILY claims it is under siege from young thugs who have launched a series of attacks on them, their home and their friends.

Timothy Young, who uses a wheelchair, says they have been threatened by a youth carrying a knife and a knuckle duster.

On one occasion, yobs tried to force their way into the family’s housing association home in Sunderland Drive, Rainham.

In the latest attack, his daughter was trapped inside the public toilets in Rainham for two-and-a-half hours by a group of girls who challenged her to a fight.

It was only after a member of the public intervened that she was able to make her escape.

In another attack, an ambulance had to be called to take two of their friends to hospital and in a separate incident, Mr Young’s children had to take refuge in the home of a Rainham resident, and were trapped there until the small hours of the morning, as thugs waited for them.

The attacks have involved boys and girls – one of them with a child in a pushchair.

"It’s because we’re different," said Mr Young, who has angina, epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes.

"I like to wear leather and my hair long, and we all like rock and roll music. For some reason, people round here don’t like that. I’m in fear of my life sometimes. Because of my illness I am extremely vulnerable."

His children have also been trapped by a gang while walking home through Rainham.

One of the youngsters was hit three times on the back of the head as well as having her hair pulled by another girl. Residents gave them sanctuary until the police arrived.

Mr Young said: “I never go out, unless there’s a taxi at the door. I can’t choose where I live, otherwise I would move.

"In the meantime we’re trapped and forced to put up with random violence. No-one seems prepared to help us."