A HOUSEHOLDER has called for tougher action against young offenders after a 14-year-old Runcorn yob caught on camera smashing his front window was given a police caution.

John Williamson said he and his family felt unsafe in their home in Frodsham's Park Lane after the garden shed was torched, cars damaged, the conservatory bombarded with stones and the fence kicked in 16 times in 12 months.

'I kept calling the police and they kept saying that unless I could identify these people, there was not a lot they could do,' he said.

Angered and frustrated by the attacks, Mr Williamson set up a video camera which identified at least one young culprit.

Mr Williamson's wife phoned the police while he and his 29-year-old son followed the youth to Frodsham Railway Station. They were met there by police and the teenager was arrested.

However, the 57-year-old construction worker said he was shocked to learn the offender was not prosecuted.

Mr Williamson vented his anger at the Vale Royal Police Forum, at Frodsham Community Centre, where he told police chiefs: 'I've spent a long time getting evidence - and I worry I might have endangered my family by doing that. I went to Northwich Police Station to make a statement and was prepared to go to court.

'But this lad got off with just a caution. I was not given a satisfactory reason why he was released and I've had no redress for the damage.'

Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Tim Jackson told Mr Williamson: 'I sympathise with you and this is exactly the sort of situation we want to get out and do something about.'

He said the creation of 18 neighbourhood policing units in the division this April - which would put more CAT officers on the streets to strengthen contact with communities and target persistent criminals - would help police tackle anti-social behaviour issues more effectively.

He told Mr Williamson: 'I fully understand the distress you feel, particularly after all the efforts you made to gather evidence.

'There are many cases where youngsters were cautioned and never came to the attention of police again, so that's been successful. But to others, it's like water off a duck's back and they end up with criminal convictions.'

However, Mr Williamson claimed it was time to get tough on younger offenders.

'My family has been the victim in all this but I feel we're just being ignored.'