RESIDENTS voiced concerns about anti-social behaviour in their town to a local MP at the weekend.

More than 20 people attended a coffee morning at Tow Law Community Centre on Saturday, arranged by Hilary Armstrong, MP for North-West Durham, to keep her updated on the problem.

Mrs Armstrong attended a public meeting in March where residents spoke of youths intimidating them on a daily basis by shouting abuse, vandalising their property and drinking on the streets.

Since the meeting, extra policing has been introduced at target areas in the town, including Alpine Way and Church Lane.

Police community support officers Richard Strong and Jeff Blair have been patrolling activity hotspots over the past few months, along with several street wardens.

Police confirmed that, since April, they have only received six call-outs to the town.

However, despite the increased police presence, residents discussed how the problems were not improving and they still felt intimidated by anti-social activity close to their homes.

Lynn Taylor, 45, from Alpine Way, said: "There are often large groups between ten and 18 hanging around outside my house and it is very intimidating for me, let alone all the elderly people here.

"Recently, a youth urinated in my garden and another incident involved a gang smashing up an old computer on a road.

"Something needs to be done about it soon because it is making everyone's lives miserable."

Edna Palmer, 64, from Station Street, said: "I am under 5ft tall and the youths that hang around near my house shout personal comments at me when I come outside, it's really nasty.

"I have two dogs, but I still feel intimidated by them."

Mrs Armstrong spent two hours discussing the problems with the residents and said she would be meeting the police and Neighbourhood Watch to find a suitable solution.

She said: "I want the people of Tow Law to know that I am here to try and help them with their problems.

"Lots of people are suffering here and we are going to try and find volunteers to get the youths engaged in productive activities so they stay away from the streets."