Electric fence in vandalised road

The fence has been erected after a number of incidents

A man has erected an electric fence around his home after a series of vandal attacks in his street.

Ralph Harvey, from Saltash, said he had installed the fence after his home was burgled twice and car tyres were slashed six times in nine months.

Residents said an unlit alley was giving vandals cover to cause damage.

Police said residents' quality of life had been affected. They said they were working with residents and Cornwall Council to deal with the situation.

Residents in the street said they had suffered antisocial behaviour, including rocks being thrown at their homes, but said they were too scared to be identified for fear of reprisals.

Ralph Harvey said he had also had bricks and concrete thrown at his windows and was having to turn his house into a prison.

If anyone gets stung I've been told that I can get sued - but I actually don't care Ralph Harvey, householder

He said: "Why should I have to do this simply because some toe-rags have decided that they want to interfere with our lives?"

The 63-year-old, who has heart problems, said about the fence: "If anyone gets stung I've been told that I can get sued. But, to be honest with you, I actually don't care."

Cornwall Council said it had recently repaired street lighting.

However, residents said that, despite that work, the alley was still in complete darkness.

Police said they were aware of the problems.

Sgt Andy Dunstan of Devon and Cornwall Police said officers understood that residents "have had enough".

He said: "Their quality of life has been affected and we are keen to work with our partners to come up with a long-term solution.

"If we can improve the environment and make it more difficult for people to cause these problems, then that's something we'll look at."

Police said they believed local youths were responsible and that officers were investigating incidents.