A WIRRAL mother suffered a miscarriage after she was terrorised by a gang of youths in West Kirby.

The 37 year old – who does not wish to be named – lost her unborn daughter following the confrontation as she walked along West Kirby beach at around 9.30pm on May 30.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said patrols attended and searched the area following the incident, during which four youths ran away from officers.

After coming across the group, who were drinking, throwing cans and acting in an abusive manner, the woman – who was four months' pregnant – asked them to behave but was met with a torrent of abuse.

She was subject to a vicious verbal assault, with one girl making “menacing” threats towards her.

Although the mother-of-one was not physically hurt, the ordeal left her extremely shaken and sadly, she suffered a miscarriage later that evening.

Her husband,  who also wishes to remain anonymous, said the “scum” responsible need to be brought to justice for what he deems a crime rather than antisocial behaviour.

“Until recently we felt safe in the area and we chose to bring up our family here,” he explained, adding that his wife will now think twice about going for a walk on her own.

"I doubt those involved will read newspapers, but I hope somebody who knows them does read this and has a conscience.

"Scum like this will have bragged about it, and posted about it on social media. They need to be forced to face up to the consequences of their actions.

"I was born and brought up in the area, and coming back here has been a shock.

“I have seen gangs of teenagers wandering around West Kirby, even during the day, drinking and shouting abuse at people."

Although accepting that it is a minority causing the problems in West Kirby and further afield in Wirral, the grieving father said it is becoming more frequent.

"This is not ‘anti-social behaviour’, it is a crime," he said.

"This is not ‘harmless fun’, it is ruining people’s lives.

"Either we accept this, and watch the area head into a sharp decline, or we put a stop to it. I appreciate how overstretched the police are, and the pathetic punishments handed out are not acting as a deterrent."

While the family come to terms with their loss, police say patrols have been stepped up in the area.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: “Anti-social behaviour can have a devastating impact on the community and cannot be underestimated.

"Offenders should be warned that Merseyside Police will not tolerate the small minority ruining local communities and those involved in anti-social behaviour.

"Merseyside Police would always encourage anyone suffering as a result of anti-social behaviour to call us immediately."

You can call police on 101 or alternatively speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always dial 999 in the case of an emergency.