A SMALL gang of youngsters has brought intimidation and fear to the village of Sadberge.

A special meeting was held in the village hall on Tuesday aimed at nipping vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the bud, especially on Friday disco nights.

It heard that incidents ranged from smashed windows at the hall and nearby church, through to the bullying of an elderly woman.

Joan Vickers, chairman of the village hall association, said: "Some older residents have suffered threatening and quite aggressive behaviour and have said they were considering leaving the village.

"It really bothered me that they said they didn't want to live here. We always thought it was a very nice village. But they won't come to a meeting like this and say they have been personally threatened.

"Others will say there are no problems at all. It seems to depend where you live."

Arthur Sanders, who runs the post office, said a woman in her eighties had been taunted by two boys while waiting for a bus.

"She came to me in tears. It is disgusting in this day and age when a 12-year-old boy can reduce an 80-year-old woman to tears. She was terrified."

PC Karl Lowe, rural policeman, said: "That is not anti-social behaviour. That comes under public order offences.

"I wanted to try to pursue it," said Mr Sanders, "but she was too afraid".

Richard Bloodworth, a comprehensive school head teacher, said: "That is straightforward bullying. Only four or five kids want to behave like this. We know who they are, so we should be able to sort it out."

His daughter and an American teacher - who works in a US school with armed guards - had each been targeted by a group while visiting.

"My daughter is streetwise, so she was not going to be intimidated. But she was surprised that the kids were so bold as to tackle an adult.

"The teacher thought it was inappropriate behaviour for young people to approach complete strangers, demanding to know who they were and what they were doing there."

Coun Brian Jones urged people to keep a note of any incidents to give to the police.

"The situation has escalated since one boy came to the live in the village and become a ringleader," said Coun Millie Scaife, chairman of the parish council.

Police and community wardens have pledged to work with villagers, but stressed the need for information.

The situation will be highlighted in the church's Roundabout magazine, which goes into every home.

"We have to stand up and be counted," said Coun Jones. "If we don't, who will?"