TOO scared to walk outside their own front door. That is the shocking admission by elderly residents living in sheltered housing after being targeted for more than four years by teenage vandals.

Residents at Holly Hill Mansions in Sarisbury have had their dreams of a quiet retirement wrecked at the hands of mindless yobs who repeatedly throw stones and bottles, smash windows, damage cars and throw eggs.

Not only do some residents admit to being too scared to walk outside their apartments in the locally-listed building but others say they are too frightened to sit by their windows in case a missile is hurled through the glass.

Following the latest attack, where bottles were smashed over the veranda and used to break a window, residents met ward councillors Sean Woodward and David Swanbrow to demand action.

Resident Terry Smith, 65, said: "I haven't been here that long but this is too much.

"Many of the ladies here admit to not wanting to go outside because they are scared.

"One 95-year-old woman was woken up by someone banging her door in the early hours. It can't go on.

"It is only a small minority of kids but they make it a misery for us."

His words were echoed by fellow resident Derek Linegar, who has lived in the mansions for nearly four years.

"I have written to the council about the problems that have been going on for at least as long as I have been there.

"Residents don't even like sitting next to the window now.

"They keep their curtains closed all the time so they don't get hurt by flying glass.

"Of course they are scared. Sometimes there can be up to six, seven or eight kids in the gang."

Sarisbury beat officer PC Alan Hiron said: "I would say it is a hot spot but I must stress that the attacks are very random.

"One will happen and it could be quiet for a month for two. That makes it difficult to police."

He added patrols were being increased in the area and confirmed the damage did seem to be focused on one particular flat.

That resident, who asked not to be named, said: "My windows have been broken about half a dozen times this year. I don't really know who is doing it. Some of the kids are nice and I give them money for crisps and things but there are a few who are just nutcases and cause the damage."

Fareham council revealed to the Daily Echo that more than £800 had already been spent this year alone on repairs to property.

Tenants manager Jon Shore said: "CCTV has been installed and with regards to the most recent incident we have handed tapes over to the police to identify who was responsible."