A FRIGHTENED Newport deaf couple claim they and their disabled child are being terrorised by a teenaged gang.

Mervyn James, 57, says he and his young son were attacked by a gang of youths and their home of two years, in Ludlow Close, Somerton, was also vandalised.

He has written to Newport housing chiefs, begging to be rehomed, and giving details of other alleged incidents.

These include:

* Electricity supply switched off at the mains *Youths climbed a drainpipe to peer into a bedroom * A CCTV camera installed by Mr James was torn down.

The allegations come at a time when crimes involving young people - from harassment to petty vandalism - are an increasing problem for police and local councils.

On another estate in Somerton, residents say Anti Social Behaviour Orders made on two teenagers last year - designed to end the youths' intimidation of locals - are not working.

And in Oliphant Circle, Malpas, locals are forming a committee in an attempt to stop the abuse and vandalism which plagues their community.

Mr James and his 47-year-old partner are both deaf. She and their son were too frightened to have their names printed.

But he told the Argus: "Frankly we're too worried to stay here anymore.

"The council cannot begin to understand how frightening it is for deaf people to go to bed knowing these children are climbing all over our house. We need protection from these gangs."

Mr James says he contacted the police over an alleged attack, which took place less than 100 yards from his home.

He claimed: "Three youths appeared and one blocked my way with his bike.

"The other two came round the back of me and my son and started kicking and swearing at us.

"I could do very little but my first instinct was to protect my child."

The couple say they installed CCTV in a bid to deter the vandalism and intimidation. Mr James said: "We kept in line with the law and directed the camera at the door.

"We don't spy on people but as deaf people with an autistic child we need to know who is at our door."

The cameras kept the youths away initially but within the last few days trouble has erupted again.

"Children have vandalised our property and stolen our CCTV camera. Now we're back to where we were before with zero protection," he said.

A spokesman for Gwent Police said Mr James' complaints were being investigated.

A spokeswoman for the city council said she was unable to comment on individual cases.

* In the picture: Mervyn James with the remains of his CCTV camera.