Police have stepped up patrols on a Sunbury housing estate after reports that a gang of eight year olds have been smashing windows and terrorising shopkeepers.

Neighbourhood officers have branded Peregrine Road a policing priority after reports of criminal damage and youngsters shouting abuse at passers-by.

Shopkeeper Leo Thushy, who now owns a dry cleaning business but used to work in a nearby newsagents, said: “One of the youngsters is now about eight-years-old and it is embarrassing how he behaves. When he was five I had to ban him from the newsagents he was so abusive.

“He shouts and screams abuse at shoppers and people walking down the street. Words you should not hear a child say. A gang of them have smashed people’s windows in the flats and their behaviour, although not very serious, is a worry to the community”

A police spokesman said: “The Lower Sunbury Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) is aware of recent reports of low level criminal damage and disorder offences in the Peregrine Road area and is taking a number of proactive steps to tackle the problem.

“The area remains a neighbourhood policing priority and members of the SNT have recently carried out a letter drop to all homes in the area giving crime prevention advice and urging residents to report any issues to police.

“The SNT and dedicated patrol units also carry out regular patrols in the area and anyone caught committing offences will be robustly dealt with.”

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed any of these incidents or with any information should call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.