POLICE patrols are to be increased after complaints from families about youths spoiling their area.

Residents in Ashfield Square, Berry Hill, say where they live has been blighted by months of underage drinking, litter and vandalism.

Youths tried to break down the door of a 75-year-old man and have urinated in gardens and caused damage to cars.

In addition to increasing patrols, police have also spoken to the parents of a number of youths.

Twenty residents attended a consultation meeting last week to voice their concerns that behaviour on the estate was getting worse.

They were angry groups of youths had been hanging around on the park behind the estate and leaving empty bottles and cans in residents' gardens.

Retired couple Julia and Harry Maskew have lived on the road for 52 years. Julia, a former care-worker, aged 76, said: "The kids were just drinking themselves silly in there and it was disgusting. They gather in the park behind us at night and in the morning there are cans everywhere. It is not fair for others who want to use it and are too afraid to go in."

But the couple who attended the residents' meeting are glad the police are taking their concerns seriously.

Harry, aged 80, said: "They can't be here all the time, but at least they are trying to put an end to this, to give us some peace and quiet again.

"At the meeting they were really good and we are pleased that extra patrols will deter the kids from their bad behaviour."

There will also be a clean up on the park as part of a community payback initiative which the police have put in place.

Julia added: "We have had kids running keys across the cars and urinating in our neighbour's garden. They have no consideration for others and we want it sorted out."

Former paratrooper Wilfred Parkin, aged 75, was left shaken after youths tried to break down his front door. He said: "It has been intimidating for people on the street, especially as a lot of us are older.

"I have had them at my front door and can see them running up and down drives with cans in their hands. But since the police got involved it has been quieter.

"I used to dread Friday nights for the noise and trouble it would cause, but it is settling down again now."

Neighbourhood Watch organiser, Dennis Tideswell is also relieved at the action taken by police.

He said: "It is a minority of people involved in drinking who always spoil the place for others.

"This is a good neighbourhood and we want a peaceful life."

A police spokesman said: "We have increased our high visibility controls in the area.

"And following the meeting, parents of the youths involved have now been spoken to regarding the behaviour of their children. And further action will be taken if their behaviour is not modified."

Another community meeting is scheduled for September to check to see if there have been improvements.