YOUNG tearaways on a Teesside estate are being blamed for frequent arson attacks and anti-social behaviour.

Children as young as nine are thought to be responsible for a spate of fires around Dormanstown that have left the old pavilion wiped out and both private and council property damaged.

Councillor Cliff Houlding, of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said a group of youngsters, aged between nine and 12, had been spotted, but had not been identified.

He said the problems had increased in the past 18 months and claimed it was due to the decreased number of community wardens.

"The issue, I think, is the reduced number of wardens, because they have gone down from 42 to 25 under the present coalition administration," said Coun Houlding.

"There has been a definite increase in anti-social behaviour and I am constantly being asked questions by residents about the wardens.

"We have had a spate of arson attacks, which is very worrying, because they are right next to people's homes and somebody could be badly hurt.

"We need more community wardens and I want to know why the number has been reduced and where the money has gone from them."

Councillor Joyce Benbow, who is head of community safety, denied the money had been wasted. She said the cash shortfall was all down to grants and funding.

She said the number of wardens had been reduced, but they were now more aggressive and proactive and were given greater training and equipment.

"Coun Houlding knows perfectly well the wardens are to be increased, as soon as we get the money from central Government. We do precisely what we can with what is available and we hope to be able to take on more.

"But the wardens' duties have changed considerably. They initially looked out for litter and dog fouling, but now they are well-equipped and highly trained. They work with the police.

"The wardens may be fewer in numbers, but they are a much more efficient force."

Coun Houlding said parents also had to be more responsible for their children.

He added: "Parents need to be accountable for their children and if they come home smelling of smoke, then it's fairly obvious they have been near to a fire."