A MAN claims residents lives are still being made a misery because of trouble outside a store a year after meetings were held to address the problem. He says the car park at the Tesco store in Baldock has become a playground for youths in the town and a

A MAN claims residents' lives are still being made a misery because of trouble outside a store a year after meetings were held to address the problem.

He says the car park at the Tesco store in Baldock has become a playground for youths in the town and a no-go area for residents after dark.

Refusing to be named because of possible repercussions, the man said: "The kids have smashed some fences down, I have had a side window smashed and they are openly selling drugs. They also race their motorbikes out there.

"We get problems every night and, at times, it's absolutely horrendous."

Angry at the unresolved situation, he said: "We had meetings with Tesco last year. They promised the residents heaven and earth. They were going to put lighting, security and raised kerbs in the car park, but they have not done a thing."

He added: "One woman broke down and cried at the meeting because of it, it's terrible what's going on.

"I actually went into the shop and asked the manager why he wasn't doing anything and he said he was going to bar me from the store if I didn't leave.

"We have had the police out many times, but as soon as they come, the kids scatter down the alleys. It's obvious the police, through no fault of their own, can't keep up. For some reason or other even they seem to back away from Tesco now.

"Our lives have been made a complete and utter misery. The kids are completely uncontrollable and doing untold damage. It's frightening and we feel intimidated but nothing is being done."

Cynical about Tesco's promises, he said: "If it was in the front car park and it affected the takings and their store you could bet your bottom dollar they would do something about it."

Baldock Inspector Geoff Camp said: "We have been working with Tesco to address some of these concerns and as a result a number of measures have been taken, including installation of a barrier to help prevent shopping trolleys being removed from the car park via a walkway to Holroyd Crescent.

"It is fair to say that trolleys are still removed, deposited in the Holroyd Crescent area and present opportunities to youths to cause nuisance as well as causing an unsightly street scene.

"I would like Tesco to take all practicable steps to prevent trolley removal and to collect deposited trolleys with greater haste and we will continue to work in partnership to achieve this."

Tesco were unavailable for comment.