A homeless couple, who live in a tent close to Kings Langley Railway Station, claim they are being victimised by youths in the area.

John Tilton has lived with his partner Susan Adams in a tent by the station in Station Road for the past three years.

Ms Adams is subject to an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO), which she breached at the end of last month.

Despite having applied for social housing through Dacorum Council, the couple claim they have been told they do not have enough points yet to qualify for a home.

They say they have been attacked on numerous occasions by teenagers in the area.

Mr Tilton explained: “On one occasion Susan and I had returned to our tent after looking for work in the area.

“When we got back we found that our tent had been completely destroyed - massive rocks had been thrown at it and the gas from our camping stove had been left on.

“I hate to think what would have happened had one of us been sleeping in the tent.

“We’re not talking about pebbles or little stones here, these rocks could have caused serious injuries.

“This isn’t the first time it’s happened. Hardly a week goes by when we’re not subject to streams of abuse or attacks from local teenagers.

“We aren’t doing any harm; we just want to be left alone.”

The British Transport Police confirmed that they had been called in March following reports of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage by youths in the area.

But as the couple were unable to identify the person responsible, no further was taken.

Mr Tilton, a former cleaner, continued: “We’re not living here by choice. Who wants to sleep in a tent, particularly in the harsh winter?

“We had to scrape together about £90 for a new tent, but who knows how long that will last.

“I can’t leave Susan by herself in case she’s attacked, yet I need to find work to get us out of this situation.

“We’ve fallen on hard times, but we want a chance to sort our lives out.

“Finding work has been tough as few people want to give you the benefit of the doubt – especially when they find out that you’re living in a tent.

“We feel like we’ve been let down – the police don’t want to help us and the council couldn’t be less interested.”

Dacorum Council claims responsibility to find the couple housing lies with neighbouring Three Rivers District Council.

However, Susan Adams was given a five-year Anti-Social Behaviour (ASBO) in 2009 after a joint operation between Three Rivers and Hertfordshire Police.

She was banned from drinking in public, insulting her neighbours, lighting fires or defecating in the streets.

This followed numerous complaints about her behaviour in the Ovaltine Drive area of the village.

The ASBO also banned her entering part of Station Road, Kings Langley, between the M25 and the railway station, unless proceeding immediately through the station to the platform whilst in possession of a valid ticket to travel that day.

Ms Adams, appeared at West Herts Magistrates court on April 5 and was fined £50 for breaching her ASBO and £15 court costs.

She breached her ABSO by visiting Station Road and swearing at police officers.