A FRUSTRATED shopkeeper has hit out at the ‘feral youths’ repeatedly vandalising a Dorchester shopping arcade.

Shaun Samways, who owns the Potting Shed garden supplies shop in the Hardye Arcade, said the area is being blighted by youngsters hanging out there in the evenings and causing damage to the arcade and businesses.

He said the latest incident saw the youngsters damage an industrial light in the arcade which could have put people’s lives at risk.

In response to the repeated offending, police have vowed to step up patrols in the area and deal with any perpetrators.

Mr Samways said he came in to work in the morning of Friday, November 4 to find lights at the front of his shop smashed, a sign damaged and the industrial light hanging by a cable.

He said: “If that was to fall it could have killed somebody and these kids need to know that they could be responsible for that.”

Mr Samways said the incident was the latest in a long line of vandalism and damage caused by youngsters hanging around the arcade from around 6pm to 8pm and his shop had been targeted several times.

He said: “At the end of the day it’s just a lack of respect, times are hard enough as it is with a big chunk of the Charles Street car park closed and the recession.

“And then we find ourselves with these feral youths just causing as much damage as possible.

“It gets to the point where you don’t replace things because it could be damaged on a Monday and you think if I repair it it could just be damaged again on Tuesday.

“You just get fed up after a while and you think do I really need to bother with this?”

Mr Samways said he had been in contact with the police and was hoping to see them take action to reduce the repeat offending.

Neil Hardwick of Goldcrest Jewellers said his shop had not been targeted but he was concerned by the vandalism taking place in the arcade and wanted to see moves made to put a stop to it.

He said: “Hopefully it will be nipped in the bud as soon as possible and the authorities will take appropriate action.”

Inspector Les Fry of Dorchester Police Station said his officers would do all they can to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area.

He said: “Dorset Police are working with the shopkeepers in the area to reduce anti-social behaviour and as a result patrols will be increased.

“Any offenders will be dealt with appropriately subject to the situation.”

Insp Fry also urged anyone who witnesses vandalism to contact Dorset Police on 101.