A TUNNEL under a railway line has become the “gateway for an unprecedented crime wave” and needs to be better policed or blocked off completely, says a disgruntled resident.

Known locally as Devil’s Archway Tunnel, the “trouble hotspot” runs between Suffolk Drive and Worcester Trading Estate in Blackpole.

Mark Watson, who lives 50 yards from the tunnel entrance on Suffolk Drive, says burglaries and vandalism are increasing in the area, with the culprits then escaping down the narrow tunnel.

“I want the authorities to block it or for it to be policed more closely, not to leave it to be misused for crime,” he said.

“They are ignoring it, but something needs to be done. I understand there are budget cuts, but I feel the authorities are ignoring the problem. They know it's there but they’re doing nothing about it.”

Mr Watson, who has lived on the street for six years, claims he was woken up on Wednesday morning as youths set a motorbike alight before escaping down the tunnel.

“I was woken up about 6.45am and heard two people discussing about how they found the motorbike abandoned and next thing I knew they ran off and it had been set alight,” he said.

Earlier this month, a thief was caught on Mr Watson’s CCTV stealing his wheelie bins, before also “making off into the tunnel”, he said.

Mr Watson, 50, lives with his son, and believes the offenders are often youths on motorbikes, which can easily fit down the tunnel.

“Police are frustrated because they’ll chase them on their bikes, but as soon as they go through that tunnel they’ve lost them and they won’t find them again. They’re out on the trading estate then and away.”

He said over the last few years, “there have been houses burgled, roof tiles smashed – all sorts of shenanigans.

“We were burgled once this time last year. They stole the computer.

“There’s been a spate of burglaries around the area, it’s becoming a real nuisance.”

Mr Watson said businesses on the trading estate are also fed up after “countless problems” including cars being broken into.

He said there’s “no legitimate use” for Devil’s Archway that late at night, though dog walkers do use the tunnel in the day.

“Anyone using at 3am is up to no good,” he added.

In March, police warned any off-road bikes being ridden illegally in Warndon Villages would be seized and crushed.

Residents had reported how they had spotted young motorcyclists riding at speed around the streets.

Mr Watson believes many of those youngsters are now frequenting Perdiswell and Blackpole instead.

City councillor Gareth Jones, of St Stephen’s ward, has voiced his support for Mr Watson’s campaign.

“I tried to get it closed myself 20 years ago, because it’s an ideal escape route for burglars,” he said.

“I’d like to see it closed. It can be an issue, but it is a public right of way, from what I understand.”

Cllr Jones said more than 10 years ago, a burglar working on the trading estate was using the tunnel to burgle nearby houses during his tea breaks at 3am.

“He hit three or four houses, but they eventually caught him because he left his footprint on a piece of paper.

“It’s a bone of contention because of the motorbikes going in there. We had a barrier installed some years ago which meant people had to get off their bikes to weave through it."

However, the barriers are no longer in place.

He said an idea could be to have a gate put in and locked overnight.

West Mercia Police and Network Rail were unavailable for comment.