"COWARDLY" hooded teenagers have been terrorising eight-year-old Cubs during their weekly meetings, leaving them "frightened to death."

The yobs have been banging on the windows and doors of the Scout hut, in Spencer Avenue, Bewdley, shouting abuse at the children during their Tuesday night gatherings.

The youths, thought to be aged between 14 and 16, started targeted the meetings around four weeks ago and have been a "nuisance" every week since. They have also been frightening Scouts during their meetings on Thursday nights.

Scout group leader, Roger Campbell, 27, said some of the younger children had wet themselves with fear and wants CCTV in the area to deter the yobs.

He added: "The youths are coming into the meetings and swearing. They are banging the windows when there are kids inside.

"They turn the lights off at the gates so they can't be seen coming up to the building. They're putting their faces on the window and making rude gestures.

"Some of the children are only eight years old. Some of them have been crying and some have wet themselves. It's frightening them to death and we're at a loose end.

"The police said they were going to send someone to keep watch but they never turned up.

"I would put the youths down as cowardly.

"If the Cubs were older it wouldn't be much of a problem but when the kids are that young, it's sick more than anything."

Mr Campbell, of York Road, Bewdley, a Scout group leader, for eight years, added: "I have seen them at the bottom of the avenue and caught them before.

"They were wearing hoodies and jumpers so I couldn't see who they were."

The Cubs meet at the centre to play games and learn basic skills, such as how to look after themselves and their surroundings.

Mr Campbell said they could not move their meetings because they had nowhere else to go.

Aaron Bourne, 20, assistant Scout leader, of Dry Mill Lane, Bewdley, has also witnessed the youths' behaviour.

He told the Shuttle/Times & News: "It's just not on. I don't see why others who don't wish to join the group want to ruin it for other people."

PC Nigel Farrell, of Bewdley police, said: "Police received two reports of youths being a nuisance at the Scout hut, in Spencer Avenue.

"They had been banging on the doors and windows, frightening the children and shouting abuse.

"Officers attended and identified some of the youths. Their parents have been spoken to about their behaviour, which has been followed up with letters.

"Patrols in the area have been increased and any further anti-social behaviour will be dealt with appropriately."