A TERRIFIED woman has had her windows smashed in the latest attack by yobs.

Jill Walsh, of Hovefield Avenue, Wickford, said her kitchen windows were left with huge holes after catapults were used to fire marbles through them.

Ms Walsh said: “Our home is being systematically destroyed in front of our eyes and the authorities appear powerless to do anything about it.

“Police respond rapidly to our calls, but needless to say by the time they arrive the culprits have vanished.

“The council say they are doing all they can within the law – they should have acted more swiftly in the very beginning to stop all the illegal traveller development taking place here.

“We have been battling this for 17 years now and we have quite a stressful life. It shouldn’t be happening.”

She praised the quick response of the police but called on the council to do more to help.

Gavin Callaghan, the council’s chairman of the policy and resources committee, said the behaviour was unacceptable and he has approached Essex Police about the situation.

He added: “The council continues to do it all can within the available laws and resources to take decisive action against inappropriate sites and planning breaches. The current legislation is not good enough which is why we welcome the Government’s latest call for evidence about the problem. We stand by the steps we have already taken and await updates from the courts in relation to ongoing cases.

“Earlier this month I chaired a summit on traveller legislation with leading figures across the county to see what further reforms are needed to strengthen the council’s hand when dealing with unauthorised developments encampments.

“As part of these talks I discussed the need for the police to be better resourced so they can deal with these distressing situations for the settled community in a decisive and timely manner.”