YOB RULE

For three years, Sallie Powell, who is deaf, has been subjected to daily intimidation and abuse from a gang of 20 youths who hang around outside her home. The single mum, who lives in a council flat in Finchley Avenue, Mackworth Estate, even has to rely on her seven-year-old son, Jordan Taylor-Powell, to listen out for any signs of trouble. As well as verbally abusing her in the street, she says the youths enter the flats through the back entrance, climb the staircase and shout abuse outside her door. They have also vandalised her car. The matter is so serious that she is afraid to let Jordan play outside in the communal garden.

This victimisation came to a head when the youths threatened to "do her" for reporting them to the local housing office for firing at her friend, Tracey Tibor, with a ball-bearing gun. Now, Miss Powell is desperate to move. The police have admitted there is a problem in her area and have pledged to do something about it. Sergeant Martin Critchley, beat manager for the area, said, "We're aware of a group of juveniles who are causing problems in the community, not just to Sallie Powell, but to other people. We will be taking further action and we will be targeting these people."

Andy Thomas, co-ordinator with the city council anti-social behaviour team, said, "The bottom line is we rely on the public to tell us about the problems. We will certainly work with the police to identify the problem, listen to the resident and come up with the solutions. We will also speak to Derby Homes in terms of more appropriate accommodation as she is the victim of anti-social behaviour. I'm quite confident we can solve her problems. This woman's life is being made a misery."

Maria Murphy, housing manager at Derby Homes, which manages the city council's 15,000 homes, said, "We are aware of the problems she has been suffering. We are awaiting a medical assessment and we will chase the response and see whether or not we are able to move her up in the list as a priority." After three years of abuse by these yobs, it is Ms Powell who has to move. So much for the anti-social behaviour scheme.

Residents were assured six months previously by a member of Derby Homes Mackworth Local Housing Office, that this problem had been investigated and appropriate action was being taken. Since access to these flats was being made by non-residents, arrangements had been made in order that residents only had the necessary means of access to the building. It was also confirmed that appropriate action was being taken against the yobs. Clearly Derby Homes staff have yet to take the appropriate action.

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