A TOWN has been compared to the Wild West by its own residents and businesspeople, who are fed up of antisocial behaviour on their doorsteps.

Sub postmaster Stephanie Reilly said the community of Hetton-le-Hole has “had enough” .

In the most recent act of vandalism, on Monday night, vandals smashed many of the bus stand panels at Hetton-le-Hole Interchange.

She said: “I am sickened by it all. Every evening it’s the same, motorbikes flying everywhere, people’s homes being vandalised, thefts from homes and garages.

“The list continues and we as a community have had enough.

“If the police cannot support us, through being short-staffed, then funding should be made available for us to employ private security firms to stamp it out.

“Enough is enough, we’ve been likened to the Wild West before and to be honest it’s exactly what it’s like.”

Mrs Reilly said this is not a new issue, and was herself a victim of mindless vandalism in late 2019 when the post office windows were damaged.

She added: “Twice my post office windows were put out and on both occasions the culprits were identified.

“One was dealt with off his parents but the other was a prolific offender who just flaunts the law and has yet to pay me for the damages he caused.”

On Monday, before the bus stands were damaged, Hetton Town Council agreed to contact Northumbria Police for a meeting to discuss ongoing concerns about antisocial behaviour.

Last spring, the force led Operation Avalanche to tackle troublemaking youths in Hetton-le-Hole and Houghton-le-Spring.

Uniformed and plain-clothed officers, along with ward councillors and council anti-social behaviour officers, patrolled problem areas to detect and disrupt crime, stop and search suspects and offer reassurance to residents.

Northumbria Police and Sunderland City Council have been contacted for comments.