A GANG said to be as many as 50 strong is causing havoc in Lydney – but out of range of the crime-busting closed circuit cameras.

Local businessman Jim Bevan says the spy cameras have been effective enough to shift the young trouble-makers from the main street to a more secluded area off Hams Road.

There they have the run of the former bus station site and the Somerfield store car park and with no control over their activities they have caused mayhem.

The latest incidents happened at the week-end when youths destroyed emergency lights at the rear of the store and smashed windows in one of Mr Bevan's double-decker buses.

The vehicle had to be taken out of service and repairs are expected to cost over £400.

It was the second attack on one of Mr Bevan's vehicles. Shortly before Christmas discarded tube lights taken from a skip at Somerfields were thrown over his security fence. They smashed on the fleet of buses and touring coaches and the mess took most of one day to clear up.

The Review has been told of a catalogue of other incidents.

One one occasion a smoke bomb was set off to try and disrupt the store. Drug deals are said to be frequent in the area and youths went on the rampage round nearby houses after finding a large box of eggs thrown in the store waste skip.

A woman was pelted with eggs and had five coats in her hallway soiled when she opened her door to check on the noise outside her home.

On another occasion youths are said to have attempted to steal from stock trolleys as they were being lined up to go into the warehouse.

Mr Bevan has written to the police and the town and district councils. He has also been in touch with Somerfields to discuss improved security measures.

One suggestion is a private CCTV system.

He told the Review: "The cameras have worked well in the main street but unfortunately they have only succeeded in pushing the problems caused by these youths to another part of the town.

"It has become a meeting point for youngsters from a wide area. What started as a bit of harmless rollerblading has developed into a much bigger problem."