POLICE are hunting a gang of youths who are terrorising residents close to two Darlington stores.

For the past six months, people living near Aldi and Iceland, on Yarm Road, have suffered problems.

There have been incidents of teenagers exposing themselves to elderly women, hurling abuse and throwing bricks at homes.

There have also been reports of youngsters riding bicycles on shop roofs after closing time.

On Tuesday evening, at about 9pm, youths set fire to a wheelie bin at the back of one of the nearby properties and the fire brigade were called to put out the blaze.

A pensioner said the gang had made rude gestures to her and smashed a conservatory roof causing £1,000 of damage. A 15-year-old boy had also exposed himself to her.

The 68-year-old woman said she was too frightened to stay at home and that the problem had become so bad her neighbours were thinking of moving house.

She said: "I am very frightened. I am at the end of my tether, the neighbours are just past themselves.

"They are completely plaguing the neighbourhood."

Councillors, community wardens and police are working together to try to combat the problem.

A questionnaire has been sent to people living in The Byway, Shearwater Avenue and Heron Drive to find out who has been affected.

A total of 17 out of the 20 homes in The Byway that received letters said they had experienced problems.

Councillor Ian Haszeldine said: "There is a real nuisance element.

"I am just sorry that it takes this long but we have got to ensure all the evidence is together and to ensure it is not a knee-jerk reaction.

"We do want to make a positive approach and make sure we do enhance the lives of people who live there."

The questionnaires will be collated by police, wardens and the council and then a public meeting will be held for residents.

Warden Greg Riley said: "We want to find out how widespread the problem is."

The youths congregate on wasteland near the two food stores, which is privately-owned.

The council is working on a number of options along with the land owner to redevelop the area.