VANDALS are terrorising an estate, making residents' lives a misery.

Over the past few weeks a gang of nine to 16-year-olds has caused mayhem on Higher Folds, wrecking bushes and fences, ripping up paths, stopping traffic with bins, throwing bottles and threatening people.

Volunteer Victim Support worker Mrs Georgina Miller said the last straw came at the weekend when the yobs ripped up the path at her son Carl's home next door.

Mrs Miller, of Sandringam Drive, said: "These incidents started well before Christmas and have been reported to the police.

"We watch my son's house when he is working and when my husband Henry, a 72-years-old semi-invalid saw them crushing a bush he went out but was met with nothing but threatening abuse.

"They are even stopping people going to the shops because they are frightened of being confronted.

"About 12 go round together from about 8.30pm every evening and they think they are untouchable. They seem to know their rights, but I don't think they should have any until they are 18. They are not even frightened of the police.

"The police van comes round but when it does the gang goes into hiding until it has gone and then it all starts again. We've had enough."

A police spokesman said they had received three calls regarding the problems, were aware of the situation and would be visiting the homes of identified members of the gang.