An elderly couple who have faced 10 years of racist harassment have taken the brave step of speaking out publicly and appealing for help.
Alfred and Olive Dunrod have seen stones and rubbish thrown in their garden, their car has been vandalised and they have been racially taunted.
In the worst attack, Mr Dunrod, 79, a retired British Rail engineer, was beaten unconscious after he chased and confronted youths who were throwing stones at his home in 2007.
And although the harassment stopped after the pensioner was attacked, it returned about a year ago.
Mrs Dunrod, a mother of five, said: “As soon as it gets dark they start throwing stones at the house. What do they want with us? We are old people. We feel very threatened and I’m afraid it might happen again.
“We are always called names and being sworn at. My daughter phoned the police and they said there’s nothing more they can do. Then I get a phone call about paying £1,000 to have CCTV installed.
“For the things I’ve put up with, other people would have had a nervous breakdown. I’m not going to give in to them. This is how they get their kicks. Why can’t they leave us alone?”
Their youngest daughter Jennifer said although her feisty mum and dad stand up to the bullies who target their home in Manorbier Crescent, Rumney, Cardiff, it is very difficult for them.
“It’s only going to stop when someone kills my dad or when my parents get injured,” she said.
“My parents have lived there for more than 50 years. They call them racially abusive names.
“When my dad was attacked, it stopped for a while, but now in 2010 we are back to square one. They are an easy target. It doesn’t seem as though the police are bothered.
“The people doing this are about 18 to 20. They’re adults. If he cowered behind the curtains and watched it happen, they probably would have left my dad alone. But he’s standing up for his family. What if he has a heart attack with the strain of it?
“My mum is quite a strong lady but I know this is wearing her down.”
Mr and Mrs Dunrod say they have received a visit from a neighbourhood police officer but were given little hope of making progress without being able to identify the culprits.
Chief Inspector Marc Lewis, from Rumney Police Station, said: “Tackling anti-social behaviour is a priority for South Wales Police as we know it can have a destructive effect on individuals and the quality of life for whole communities.
“The issue of youth annoyance in Manorbier Crescent has recently been brought to the attention of local officers and every effort is being made to reduce such incidents and identify those responsible.
“The Rumney Neighbourhood Policing Team is fully aware of the issues and will continue to carry out regular patrols in the area.
“We would remind young people to consider the impact their actions might have on others and urge parents to speak to their children about acting responsibly while out and about.
“As always I would encourage people to report all incidents of anti-social behaviour to 101, or 999 in an emergency.
“Only when we are told about incidents can we take action and tackle the problem.”
Wales Online
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