RESIDENTS of a children's home in an upmarket area are being blamed for bringing a wave of crime to the neighbourhood.

Residents of posh Scott's Lane and Hayes Lane, Beckenham, angrily made their feelings known on the Florizel Children's Home at a meeting of the Bromley Police Consultative Committee.

Retired police officer Ian MacFarlane, of Hayes Lane, said: "To my knowledge, most people in my street have been burgled.

"On one occasion, when the burglar was caught, it turned out to be a 14-year-old boy from Peckham, who had been living at the Scott's Lane home. What are these type of people doing in the middle of a quiet community like ours?"

The Florizel Children's Home, which has been in Scott's Lane since 1989, provides accommodation for young people who have been put into local authority care.

Inspector John Powell, who attended last week's meeting, disputed claims of a crimewave. He said: "The children at this hostel are not offenders, they are in care.

"By the law of averages, there will be some who will fall foul of the law.

"But in six months, we've had a dozen calls to the area, which is a very low call rate."

Mrs Watson, the proprietor of the home, did not deny there had been occasional problems with residents.

She said: "If any of my young people interfere with residents in this road or in this area, I am quite willing to address the problem with them.

"Many people in the area have been very kind to our children and give us presents. But if any young person has aggrieved a neighbour, he should discuss it with me so action can be taken."

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