A DISTRESSED pensioner has said it “feels impossible to relax” in his own home after his house was repeatedly damaged.

Bob Gardner and his wife Moreen, who are both 70, live in Fronks Road, Dovercourt, and are feeling constantly “harassed” by yobs who they say cannot pass their door without kicking it.

Back in 2021, vandals, who are thought to be aged between 12 and 16, broke all the plastic to his front door, which left Bob and his wife with a hefty bill of £240 to cover.

There have been another seven incidents, and the couple’s window has also been broken.

Bob said: “One of the group kicked the door heavily, ran across the road and threw a stone at the window and smashed it.

“I am still waiting for the repairs, so it will cost hundreds of pounds again.

“I am totally depressed. You just cannot relax. My wife is now suffering from anxiety and depression and is taking medication for it.”

The frustrated pensioner says he doesn’t feel safe in his home anymore and finds himself sitting on the sofa waiting for the next bang to happen.

Bob had to call the police several times and has also given CCTV footage to officers for investigation.

In the past few weeks a group of youngsters was also caught on CCTV throwing paint at cars in town.

Bob added: “I feel things will escalate. It was door kicking originally and now [we have a] broken window “I really don’t know where we are with it at the moment. I suffer with diabetes and that doesn’t help at all.

“I can’t sit in peace between 4pm and 11pm. I just wonder when there is going to be a bang.”

“And when I say kicking it is not just a general kick it is a drop kick and even my neighbour hears it.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We are investigating a number of reports of criminal damage in Fronks Road, Harwich. Most incidents have been reported to us between February 7 and February 20.

“We are exploring a number of lines of enquiry and we need anyone who saw anything or has any CCTV, dash cam, or doorbell footage of the incidents to contact us.

“If you have any information you can submit a report online at https://www.essex.police.uk or use the ‘Live Chat’ button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.

“Please quote the crime reference number 42/44686/22. You can also call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”