About 25 residents gathered yesterday morning with member for Albury Greg Aplin to develop a plan to overcome what they say is constant abuse, vandalism and intimidation in Glenroy.

The group met after one home was damaged by fire and another’s windows were broken in the past fortnight.

Residents said the culprits are mostly males aged from 12 to 17, and have signed a petition to have some of them evicted by the Department of Housing.

Petition organiser Kayleen Groves has lived in Glenroy for 20 years and said it has recently become a living hell.

“The past two years are the worst that it’s ever been,” she said.

“You have to sleep with one eye open.

“I’ve never seen anything like it, the abuse and the assaults.

“If something’s not done soon, someone is going to get badly injured or even killed.”

Mr Aplin said he would take the residents’ concerns to Parliament if necessary, and that a collaborative approach from police, the Department of Community Services and the Department of Housing was needed to tackle the problem.

“It’s clearly unacceptable behaviour in anyone’s language, in any town and any culture, and it’s a real threat to safety,” he said.

“These juveniles are not learning respect, they’re not learning acceptable behaviour and they will be embarking on a cycle, unfortunately, of a criminal lifestyle.”

Mr Aplin said residents wanted more regular police patrols and quicker response times in order to stem the problems.

Albury Detective Acting-Insp Paul Stares said police presence in Glenroy varied in response to fluctuating crime rates.

“We try and keep our patrols in that area as consistent as we can,” he said.

“Members of the public have just got to contact us if they have any problems or issues related to any crime.”

Albury Mayor Stuart Baker said the council had not received complaints from Glenroy residents.