Rainham parents who are scared that their children could be victims of robbery and burglary have created an online group to try and protect them.

Romford Recorder: Parents Loul Payne and Anne Hanna have set up a Facebook group called SCARS for parents in Rainham to help protect children from street crimeParents Loul Payne and Anne Hanna have set up a Facebook group called SCARS for parents in Rainham to help protect children from street crime (Image: Archant)

SCARS (Street Crime, Attacks and Robbery Support) Rainham was set up a few weeks ago, and already has more than 1,500 members on Facebook, with the aim to try and raise awareness of gangs and crimes happening in the area.

The group was set up by Loul Payne, and Anne Hanna - Anne had been a victim of burglary herself when criminals broke into her home last year, and, Lloul, said that he feels the police aren’t doing enough to make people feel safe.

Loul said that he had seen first hand street crime happening to children in the village, and said that moped crime has been a big problem.

He added that parents in the group have been in touch with him, and told him of stories including one where a young boy had his jaw broken in three places as a gang stole his phone from him.

Romford Recorder: Parents Loul Payne and Anne Hanna have set up a Facebook group called SCARS for parents in Rainham to help protect children from street crimeParents Loul Payne and Anne Hanna have set up a Facebook group called SCARS for parents in Rainham to help protect children from street crime (Image: Archant)

The father-of-three claims children are scared to speak out and report it to the police, and that other parents have told him they feel there is no point in reporting it to the police because nothing ever gets done.

He said: “They think that they can get away with this and they can’t.

“We have to stand up to them, the point in the group is to alert others to crimes that are going on to try and keep our children safe.

“If nothing is done people are going to end up getting severely hurt.

Romford Recorder: Parents Loul Payne and Anne Hanna have set up a Facebook group called SCARS for parents in Rainham to help protect children from street crimeParents Loul Payne and Anne Hanna have set up a Facebook group called SCARS for parents in Rainham to help protect children from street crime (Image: Archant)

“My intention was to set up some sort of heads up alerting system. If something happens we can tell the kids to avoid going there.

“We can come together as a community to protect our children.”

“I would like to see more police officers on the streets and some profiling done on the kids that are doing this.”

Loul also insists the group is not just focussed online though, and that it can offer advice to anyone in the area, and said that if elderly people or anyone who feels vulnerable wants to get in touch then to do so.

The group is now also offering a 24 hour support helpline for residents to call anonymously to discuss or leave a message about recent criminal activity, or for general advice on security or any other concerns or worries they may have.

To contact the SCAR team call 07024 065 558.