Seaside town overrun by kids as young as nine running amok with knives

01 January 2024 , 14:52

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Locals claim kids are running around Paignton 'stabbing' people (Image: Youtube/Wendall)

Locals living in a seaside town that was once compared to the "English Riviera" have warned the area has become so "dangerous" that it is no longer safe to go out at night.

Residents have branded Paignton in Devon a "s***hole" and claim children as young as nine and ten are running around armed with knives. The town, which was previously hailed one of the most beautiful in the UK, is said to have deteriorated due to young thugs threatening to "stab you for no reason".

Members of the public said the area used to be "absolutely pristine" but claim aggressive youths have taken over the town and turned it into an avoidable area. Youtuber Wendall, who visited the town after seeing it described as being “overrun with feral knife-toting rooftop yobs as young as nine", was told dreadful stories by locals.

One said it was "f***ing dangerous" at night. "You might get stabbed up by children," they added. "They’ll stab you for no reason at all and they’re about 12." Another local, Salvation Army bandsman Melvyn said he’d seen the town go downhill over the course of his lifetime. "I’ve been here since 1963 which is 60 years,” he said.

The town was once viewed as one of the most beautiful seaside locations in the country (Getty Images)

“I'm 80 years old… like everywhere in this country the deterioration is very noticeable now. Lack of maintenance… the council either haven’t got the money or they spend it in different ways. When I came here in ' 63 the gardens were kept absolutely pristine. There’s a lot of unease around, people are not as relaxed as they were. The parks are now seen as places that are best avoided come nightfall."

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County lines gangs are also reportedly recruiting children in the area to use as drug couriers, reports Express. Inspector Chris Lithgow from Devon and Cornwall Police previously said the force is "dealing with youths involved in violent offences through the youth justice system." Some gangs of young people were reported to have been aggressively confronting local shopkeepers, including throwing large stones and even shopping trolleys from the top floors of multi-storey car parks.

The town has become run down in recent years (Devon Live)

A spokesperson for Paignton Police told The Mirror at the time: "Paignton Police have been receiving numerous reports of gangs of youths causing issues in around Paignton town centre and the sea front area. They are stealing, confronting shopkeepers and threatening business owners and acting in a general disorderly manner. We have also received reports of stones being thrown off the top level of the Victoria Car Park. If this lands on anyone below this could cause significant injury."

Monica Charsley