PEOPLE on a trouble-plagued estate are reclaiming the streets after a family was threatened by a gang of youths with a ball-bearing gun.

Residents in the Eversley Walk area of Park End, Middlesbrough, are joining forces with various agencies to help combat anti-social behaviour.

It follows the incident in July, when a family feared for their safety when faced with the barrel of a pistol.

Middlesbrough Council's neighbourhood safety team visited the complainants and gave diaries to some of those involved, enabling them to log any incidents involving yobbish behaviour.

They also gave residents a chance to identify the youths involved.

The culprits were eventually named, visited at home and issued with acceptable behaviour contracts, binding them to behave.

Neighbourhood safety officer Rob Brown said: "Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Middlesbrough.

"Perpetrators of such actions should be made aware that a tough stance is used to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour.

"The neighbourhood safety team and neighbourhood police team are committed to resolving these issues, but can only do so if residents report the incidents to the relevant authorities.

"If you commit anti-social behaviour, we will find out who you are and we will prosecute you."

Inspector Bev Gill, from the Berwick Hills neighbourhood police team, said "I would like to send out a strong message to all those engaging in anti-social behaviour. On every occasion, we will take positive and robust action against all those who are causing misery to the residents of Park End and East Middlesbrough.

"We need parents to take control of their children when they are displaying behaviour which is inconsiderate, unacceptable and anti-social. If the parents do not intervene, then the police and other agencies will."

Work is under way in the area to combat youngsters using off-road bikes illegally.

A chicane anti-motorbike structure has been fitted at the bottom of Eversley Walk to deter motorbike misuse.

In addition, Erimus Housing has given the police £1,000 to offer rewards for information leading to the arrest or seizure of an illegally-used motorbike.

Erimus Housing is also working to identify and take enforcement action against anti-social tenants.

A persistent anti-social tenant has already lost their home as a result and evidence is being gathered against others.