POLICE have urged residents being terrorised by teenage thugs to stand up to their young tormentors and provide evidence.

A catalogue of complaints has been made by people living on an estate in Brompton on Swale.

Incidents include cars, houses and trees being damaged, things being set on fire, indecent exposure, egg throwing, abuse and swearing, riding unlicensed mopeds and vandalism of street lights.

A gun was fired through the window of one house, a property had its electricity supply cut and young children in play parks were terrorised. Evidence of drinking and drug taking has been found regularly.

Police are preparing a dossier of incidents dating back to October last year and have promised to take legal action against those responsible. The dossier contains names of known offenders. Officers have met residents of the Augustus Gardens and Citadella Close area and have inspected play areas where the youths congregate.

They photographed damage and evidence of drinking and drug use.

Sgt Mick Griffiths of Richmond police urged people to speak out.

He said: "These incidents are down to a small group of local teenagers who gather at the play parks.

"It is vital that anyone in the area who is concerned about this sort of antisocial behaviour contacts the community safety department at Richmondshire District Council and leaves contact details for PC Sue Dent, the community safety officer for the area.

"She is compiling a report of incidents back to October with a view to taking action.

"I can only warn the youths responsible to desist now and be prepared for an investigation into their past behaviour.

"I can assure residents of the estate that if we find evidence of criminal behaviour, we will prosecute, but we can only do this with their help.

"I am confident that we will prosecute at least one person fairly soon."

People sometimes felt intimidated into keeping quiet, he said, but if the whole estate stood together, the problem could be defeated.

Becky Allen, from the council's community safety department, said some youths could be breaching housing association and local authority tenancy agreements by their actions, and could possibly face eviction.