A TOP police officer has urged residents not to turn vigilante to deal with large gangs of troublesome teenagers driving residents to despair.

Inspector Neil Sherratt, pictured below, chief of Cheadle Police, insisted dealing with anti-social behaviour in the town was the force's "number one priority".

And he appealed for people to contact police immediately rather than approach and confront intimidating groups stalking the streets.

The message comes after a 32-year-old, of Victory Crescent, was jailed for eight months for pulling out an imitation firearm to deal with young "louts".

Matthew Alcock had reached the end of his tether on February 18 last year after he endured a prolonged period of abuse.

However, the youngsters were not scared by the replica gun and were seen to chase Alcock down the street. The defendant was arrested later that day.

Judge Granville Styler accepted Alcock was bullied by "louts in Cheadle" and was "at his wits' end". But he said people who produce firearms, real or imitation, in public places have to be sent to prison.

Inspector Sherratt said this week it should be left to the police to deal with troublesome yobs. He said: "We are here to deal with any issue very quickly.

"It is not a good idea to approach groups yourself as this can lead to confrontations. We put a lot of resources into this issue. Officers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take a tough stance on any problems."

Four PCSOs and two dedicated police constables are focussed on ridding Cheadle of anti-social behaviour.

Officers are called out on an average of three or four times a week to deal with problems caused by large congregations of juveniles.

Insp Sherratt added: "There are one or two certain individuals who are on our radar and we actively engage with parents, youth services and social services to try and reach a solution."

Retired firefighter Mick Davies, of Ashbourne Road, claimed his elderly neighbours were frightened to leave their homes in the evening because of gangs.

He said: "You can still see and hear groups of 20 or 30 youngsters hanging around drinking and smoking in the streets at 2am. Nothing the police try seems to work and people are scared."