Merseyside police said it has investigated a report of criminal damage and has made CCTV and witness enquiries in the area
Overgrown garden blocking access to the garden at the back of Mark Murphy’s bungalow(Image: LDRS)
A lifelong Liverpool-fan was sitting down to watch the reds’ match against Inter Milan on Tuesday night (December 9) when his window was smashed in, the latest in a series of incidents of anti-social behaviour reported in Melling Village.
A post on a local Facebook group prompted dozens of supportive comments offering to help Mark Murphy, whose windows was damages in the incident, and also people expressing their anger at those responsible for the yobbish behaviour.
Due to the urgent nature of the post and its sincere desire to help Mark, the Liverpool ECHO visited Melling to try and find out what was going on. On arrival, several people approached us wanting to share their concerns about Mark’s situation and the wider problems of anti-social behaviour in the village.
It was immediately clear Mark is a well-known member of the Melling community. Among many of his friends and neighbours, is Tracy Robinson who told us: “Mark is one of those people who is so well loved by all who meet him.
Smashed window at front of Mark Murphy’s bungalow(Image: LDRS)
“He is always happy and positive, but these incidents of anti-social behaviour, including the smashed window has really hit him hard, and for those that know him, seeing Mark down is hard on all of us, so we really hope something can be done.”
According to numerous accounts, the issue Mark is having with anti-social behaviour, seems to be a result of where his bungalow is located, rather than anything personal against Mark. One person told the ECHO that Mark’s house is next to a pathway leading off the street, known to be an area where young people congregate, and is an obvious target to anyone wanting to ’cause a bit of trouble’.
They added: “This isn’t about Mark, this is about some stupid kids causing trouble and having a perfect escape route. Sadly for Mark, his house is right in the firing line.”
Mark said he first reported the anti-social behaviour incidents back in the summer of 2024, having never had any other problems. The incidents of ASB have been sporadic since then, according to Mark, but started to ramp up again last month when his house was pelted with eggs on ‘mischief night’. The latest incident occurred on Tuesday night (December 9) when Mark was setting down to watch the Inter Milan v Liverpool Champions League game.
Mark used to work as an employment adviser at Liverpool City Council and is a lifelong Liverpool fan, never missing a game. His love for the reds was documented three years ago when he told the story of his trip to the 1977 European Cup Final in Rome.
Just under two weeks before the final, Mark’s mum Kathleen Murphy was tragically killed in Kirkby. He was just 15 at the time, an only child to a single parent, and was asked to identify his mum’s body.
Mark Murphy, 64, has lived in Melling for the last 14 years(Image: LDRS)
When Mark collected his mum’s belongings, there were two match tickets for Rome and two flight tickets in her bag, as she planned to surprise her son with the trip of a lifetime. Mark’s uncle took him to the match, where he released a lock of his mum’s hair, which he said floated up into the skies of Rome as Liverpool fans celebrated winning the European cup.
Mark, 64, still goes to the match, but often watches the late European games at home on the television, he added: “About ten minutes before kick-off, I sat down and I heard this big band and the windows been smashed in, but by the time I got up to have a look, they’d already got off.
“Since having a stroke 14 years ago, I’m a little slower getting up than I used to be, so they had the odds in their favour, and had already took off up the path which is like an alleyway of escape for them.
“We all got up to stupid things when were were kids, but to smash someone’s window is worse than messing around. It’s made me feel really anxious to be honest, depressed and got me to a really low point.
“I’m also a bit embarrassed because I’ve always been a lad and took care of myself, and I have my two sons who I don’t want to worry with what’s been going on. I love this area and I love my home, but this just makes me want to leave, because I can’t carry on like this.”
The latest ASB incident at Mark’s property has been reported to Merseyside Police who confirmed it has investigated a report of criminal damage at an address in Melling, and has made CCTV and witness enquiries in the area.
After reporting the damage to his landlord, One Vision Housing, the window of Mark’s living room has been covered with a thin piece of wrapping plastic. This has also caused upset amongst Mark’s neighbours after he was told his window would not be replaced until January.
Mark Murphy, 64, has lived in Melling for the last 14 years(Image: LDRS)
Effectively, this would mean Mark waiting three to four weeks with a broken window, during December and over the Christmas period. However, after contacting One Vision Housing, the ECHO understands a window replacement for Mark’s home is a ‘priority’ and there will be plans to get it installed before Christmas.
A spokesperson for One Vision Housing said: “We continue to engage with the customer and supplier, as we prioritise the manufacturing of a bespoke window replacement at the earliest opportunity. An interim solution is currently in place which supports insulation and glass safety.
“One Vision Housing remains fully committed to working with the customer to ensure their health and wellbeing, while signposting to the relevant authorities.”