Police investigate harassment of Dereham families by teens

Two families have been left "terrified" in Dereham over the last week and police investigations have led to patrol cars being sent to the area.

Doorbell camera footage has captured the alleged attackers at both scenes in two "quiet" residential estates - one of which saw a man grabbed by the throat as he intervened.

A mother has described how children tried to break down her door at 11pm on Sunday, March 31, which terrified her children and dog (Image: Google Street View)

A mother has described how teens "tried to break down her door" as she was startled by a "loud bang" at 11pm on Sunday in Helsinki Way, in Toftwood, which terrified her children and dog.

Running to the front door, Jodie Fysh spotted "a big footprint with mud all over the door" and watched as three boys aged around 15 years old were "legging it down the road".

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Ms Fysh said: "We never usually get any trouble in the area, it's always so quiet and we tend to look out for each other."

"We were lucky a foot didn't go through the door."

In response to Ms Fysh's social media post, Kerry and Ben Cross commented on a similar incident that happened last Thursday, March 28, at 10pm in Moorgate Road.

A man was grabbed by the throat in a family home in Moorgate road, Dereham on Thursday, March 28 at 10pm (Image: Google Street View)

Mrs Cross said: "The young lad pushed the door wide open and tried coming in the house resulting in my husband trying to keep him out as we have three kids in the house."

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She added: "One of my kids who heard the incident has been scared after the lad put his hand around my husband's throat.

"I told him three times I had kids in the house and he needed to leave, he finally let go of my husband and left."

Anyone with information about the incidents should contact Norfolk Police on 101.