RESIDENTS of a Waltham Abbey care home are being told to remain indoors after several incidents of vandalism by youths who have pelted the home with bottles and stones.

Warburton Lodge, in Meadowcross, is one of two neighbouring residential homes run by the Abbeyfield Society.

It has become a favourite target for vandals in the past month.

But after the latest incident, where a bottle was thrown onto the roof leaving shards of glass over a patio area used by residents as old as 95, staff have been left with no choice but to ask them to stay in their rooms.

House manager Mary Day said: "We have a plot of land backing onto us which was overgrown but I think part of it was cleared last year which has given these people somewhere to congregate.

"They have been lobbing over drink bottles and pieces of cement onto the roof but on Sunday night one of them threw a bottle onto the roof which hit a tile, smashed and showered the patio with glass.

"If this had happened in the afternoon when many of the residents sit outside then I don't know what would have happened.

"We've had to warn the residents not to go out of their rooms but they are typically stoic as is the way with people of this generation and want to know why the actions of these vandals should make them suffer."

Since the vandalism started Mrs Day has telephoned the police several times but so far no one has been caught because by the time they arrive the vandals have gone.

Mrs Day rang town council leader and district councillor Don Spinks on Monday to try and get something done.

Mr Spinks said: "It's disgraceful attacking an old people's home. It must be very upsetting for the residents who must be wondering what is going on.

"Any sort of vandalism is terrible but this is the worst kind, against old people who cannot even look to protect themselves. This really is mindless vandalism."

Mr Spinks has asked Epping Forest Council to see if its officers could visit the adjoining site and establish exactly who owns it.

A council spokesman said the officers were trying to do so when the Guardian went to press on Wednesday.

July 10, 2002 10:30