RESIDENTS of a world heritage town which has been plagued by feral yobs admit it is “frightening” – but insist they love their home.
The stunning Welsh town of Caernarfon has been hit by a spate of anti-social behaviour including a brick being thrown at a baby in a pram.
The infant was not badly hurt but the attack in September caused outrage in Caernarfon.
Drunk yobs have unleashed havoc in the town – throwing beer cans, urinating in public and targeting bus passengers with water bombs.
Thugs have also been seen smoking cannabis by the bus station and fighting.
Public Space Protection Orders have been imposed in parts of the town to enable police to clamp down on anti-social behaviour.
Jobless Meiae Russell, 63, said: “I saw them by the bus station being threatening and shouting abuse.
Speaking by historic Caernarfon Castle, she added: “It was frightening to be around them.
“But hopefully the police can get control of the situation. We need more police at night, that’s for sure.
“They threw eggs and all sorts of things as well. But I love the town -its very beautiful and a great place with the magnificent castle.”
Mum-of-two Sarah Williams, 37, said: “I’ve seen teenagers in the multi-story throwing balloons full of water at passengers waiting for buses.
“It’s shocking but it’s not a reflection of the town which is a great place to live.
“I make sure my 14-year-old daughter doesn’t get involved in that. I told her she can’t play football if she got involved in anything else.”
Sarah added: “She loves her football. Hopefully that will keep her out of trouble.”
Dad-of-one Emlyn Jones, 34, said: “It’s disgusting that a baby was hit by a brick.
“These yobs need sorting out. They have caused trouble in the town in big groups.
It’s not nice to see all these young lads hanging round. There needs to be more police and not just in their cars but on foot
Colin Bates
“The police need to get hold of them and tell a few jome truths to the parents.
“They are giving the town a bad name but it’s a lovely place to live. We are all proud of it and the castle is stunning.”
Retired research engineer Colin Bates, 73, had just taken his dog Buster for a walk around the town.
He said: “There has been some anti-social behaviour with drunken teenagers.
“It’s not nice to see all these young lads hanging round. There needs to be more police and not just in their cars but on foot.”
Colin added: “I’d hate this place to be spoiled as it is just such a beautiful place.”
Caernarfon’s magnificent castle and walls are a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to 1283.
Hordes of tourists descend on the town, which is in the outskirts of Snowdonia.
Visiting from Dublin, mum-of-four Joan Byrne, 80, said: “We’ve been coming for 20 years and love it here.
“We’ve never seen any trouble or been threatened here. It’s a great place.”
Her husband Hugh, 79, said: “It’d be a great shame if anything ruined it here. It’s so beautiful.”
Cops said it was lucky the infant was not hurt after missiles were thrown at cars near Segontium, a Roman fort, in September.
Yobs lobbed the missiles while cowering behind a historic wall at the fort.
Cars were damaged and officers later spoke to the families of 14 young people, between the ages of nine and 15.
PC Jordan Jones said: “The recent behaviour in Caernarfon is having a serious impact on residents.
“It is putting community members at risk. Luckily, the baby did not sustain any injuries, but this could have been a different story.
“Criminalising young people is a last resort but if incidents continue to escalate, we will need to take formal action.
Neighbourhood cop PC Jones added: “I would urge parents and carers to support us.
“Speak to your children about where they are going in the evenings and the consequences that anti-social behaviour can have.”
Edward I conquered Wales in 1277 and built defences in the country’s rebellious north.
He began work on the strategically important Caernarfon Castle in 1283, when Welsh prince Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, mounted an uprising.
Its majestic, imposing form took shape and building work continued until 1323.
The cost of the building work was staggering – £22,000, more than the Treasury’s yearly income at the time.
Caernarfon came under attack in the uprising of 1294-5, and again by Owain Glyndŵr in 1403-4, and both times stood up to the attacks.
It was only in the Civil War that the garrison surrendered to the Parliamentary forces in 1646.
The future King Charles was invested as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in 1969.
