WHEN Councillor John Burton visited a public meeting in Ferryhill Station this week he was confronted by a variety of people unhappy with the situation there.

People told of being afraid to leave their homes after dark, vandalism, rats, rubbish and anti-social behaviour.

One tenant told the meeting that because of the stigma attached to Ferryhill Station the value of his property had dropped from £18,000 to just £2,000, leaving him and his wife trapped.

Neil Appleby, of Chapel Row, said: "We are all very aware of the North-South divide, that there is a glut of housing in the North and a shortage in the South.

"The only way to improve the situation here is to have some demolition of the worst housing. It is the only way forward."

Anti-social behaviour of some tenants was a major issue, the meeting was told.

Police representatives at the meeting said they would not hesitate to use new anti-social behaviour orders law to curb the behaviour of tenants in the area that caused problems for other residents.

Inspector Richard Dodds, of Ferryhill Police, said: "We will use these orders, but we need your help to do this. Tell us when something is happening you are unhappy about, contact us.

"Do not try to do anything yourself. We need your help in collating evidence against these people, and once we have that evidence we can go ahead with trying to solve the problem."

Janet McDonagh, of Haig Street, said she knew of elderly people afraid to leave their homes, and others who had left the area altogether to get away from the problems.

She said: "Older people are afraid to go out to walk their dogs after dark, and some have even left the Station to get away."

Councillor Burton promised to speak to Tony Blair, the area's MP, about the concerns and also said he would write to the Lord Chancellor's office about the concerns about crime in the area