FRIGHTENED residents of an estate have signed a petition in a bid to stop yobs blighting the area.

Families living in the Wrensfield area of Stockton say gangs gather in the streets, smashed glass is left on playing fields by underage drinkers and passersby are verbally abused.

In the past year, Stockton Borough Council enforcement officers have dealt with 500 incidents.

Last Sunday, yobs set fire to two storage cabins which contain play equipment for children to use during the summer.

Cleveland Police and the council say they are taking steps to clamp down on the problem youths and are urging people living in the area to report all incidents.

Kath Simpson, who lives near the play area in Borton Walk, has been making a log of incidents to give to the authorities.

She said: "When I first came here 25 years ago, people used to want to live here. Now they can't wait to get off."

Margaret Elliott, who lives in Borton Walk, said: "My door was booted in the other night. I live on my own and I constantly feel intimidated.

Our kids can't play out because of it."

Another angry resident, Alison Kemp, said: "I won't go out when it's dark - it's like Beirut.

We're the forgotten estate."

Other incidents include tyres being slashed, front doors being kicked in and drug "bongs" being smoked on garden walls.

The 200-signature petition will be handed in to council officers.

Councillor Steve Nelson, the cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: "Incidents have included moving youths on, seizing alcohol from minors, issuing fixed penalty notices to people dropping litter, removing dumped cars and assisting our colleagues in the emergency services.

"We take our responsibilities towards our communities very seriously and I think the excellent work of the neighbourhood enforcement service proves this."

Sergeant Steve Kappel, of Cleveland Police, who covers the Wrensfield area, said neighbourhood policing officers and police community suppor officers regularly carry out high-visibility patrols of the area.

He added: "We are determined to clamp down on anti-social behaviour in the area and we want to remain citizen-focused and do this with the support of the residents."