A GANG of up to 50 youths has unleashed a reign of terror in Batchley, including two attempted car-jackings and one resident being stabbed.

The extent of the trouble was discussed at a Batchley Neighbourhood Group meeting on Thursday.

And a Batchley First School teacher said people were scared to leave their homes.

Beat manager Pc Robin White said at the meeting some residents had experienced a "tough few months" and their lives had been made "a misery".

Redditch Councillor James Uphill said: "I would term it as violent crime, like the two attempted car-jackings at the roundabout by the shops.

"We hear about this kind of thing in America but don't expect it to happen in sleepy Redditch.''

He added: "A man who delivers papers to the Spar shop at 5am was attacked with bricks, shop windows have been smashed and a Batchley resident was stabbed, but luckily not badly hurt.

"It's incredibly depressing, especially when we hear of so many wonderful things other people are doing for residents.

''It has been getting worse over the last few weeks."

A Batchley First School spokesman said staff were also concerned.

The spokesman added: "What has been happening has been dreadful and it's getting frightening - people are scared to go out of their homes."

Pc White, who agreed to visit the school to ease teachers' fears, said: "A group of young men have been making many people's lives a misery.

"We're aware of what has been happening and plans are being made to deal with it.

"In the last three weeks, we have arrested six young men, all from this estate, some concerning offences on the estate."