The woman, who does not want to be named for fear of the repercussions, lives in Princes Street, Connah's Quay.
The street was recently targeted by police in a bid to combat anti-social behaviour after about 70 residents turned up to a neighbourho
od forum meeting to complain about groups of youths hanging about the streets, drinking and making them feel intimidated.
A portable CCTV camera, known as "Metal Mickey", was installed to monitor the problems in Princes Street, but last week the Leader reported how gangs of youths had thrown bricks at the camera in an attempt to destroy it.
The resident said: "We have so many problems, mostly with older kids behaving anti-socially. The problem began about three years ago and has gradually got worse and worse.
"There are big problems with drugs in the street. People are scared to leave their houses in case windows get broken and things get stolen, and none of the residents can go out at night because of the abuse and intimidation they get from the gangs.
"The kids also use our garden as an escape route from the police and vandalise cars. It is difficult to identify them as they are all wearing hoodies. I am afraid to leave the house after dark.
"My husband works nights sometimes and when he is out I sit in the house in the dark.
"I am petrified in my own home. I have lived in this street for years and it used to be a safe place to live. Now I hate it – I really want to move but it is difficult.
"Recently, my husband and I decided that enough was enough and we attended a neighourhood policing meeting. Now I have been branded a 'snitch' and a 'grass'.
"My windows were egged on Halloween and the gangs have also been waiting on street corners, setting fireworks off behind cars and throwing fireworks at people's houses.
A resident living in a nearby street added: "People in Princes Street are frightened to leave their houses in case they get burgled, and are living in fear.
"There are problems with drinking, drugs, gangs, intimidation and rowdiness on a daily basis. The street has lots of houses up for sale which people cannot sell because of the reputation of the area.
"Until recently people were scared to report incidents to the police because of the repercussions."
Police have recently increased weekend patrols in the area, when the residents say the problems are at their worst, and an all-night police presence was in Princes Street on Halloween.
One said: "There were patrols every single minute of the night on Wednesday and we couldn't thank them enough. Without their presence, we would have had a riot.
"We are planning to attend the next neighbourhood policing meeting in January.
The full article contains 510 words and appears in Evening Leader Flintshire newspaper.
