San Ġwann residents are furious about a gang of teenagers who ran riot on Friday night, scratching about 20 cars and damaging signage in a small public garden after a bout of binge drinking.

Residents were particularly annoyed at what they said was the police’s delayed response to several reports by neighbours who saw the teens drinking, smoking, swearing and vandalising public property.

“The San Ġwann police told us they had to rely on the St Julians police, who were obviously busy with Paceville,” Joseph Giglio told The Times, adding that the police only arrived on the scene 30 minutes after the reports were made and 10 minutes after the young hooligans dispersed.

Mr Giglio, who shouted at the youngsters from his roof when they were drinking in Rose Square, said the gang consisted of about a dozen children all younger than 16, some looking as young as 12.

When he told them to stop making so much noise and leave the neighbourhood, they responded with threats and challenged him to call the police.

Later that same night, some 20 cars, including a couple of brand new ones, which were parked on Stefanotis Street, were scratched with stones, presumably by the same gang. Some of the cars were also dealt blows to their doors and bonnets, leaving them dented.

Mr Giglio said the San Ġwann community used to have a mobile squad which provided “a 5-star service to the community” but it had since disappeared.

“What’s the use of having a police station without a mobile squad that can take immediate action when a report is filed,” asked Mr Giglio.

The Times spoke to other witnesses who corroborated his story and showed the damage their cars sustained on Friday night.

Meanwhile, the police have not yet responded to questions sent yesterday about the incident.