POLICE are appealing for witnesses after up to 40 youths caused criminal damage to residential properties.

There were at least five incidents of criminal damage, in which wing mirrors were knocked from cars, and a conifer tree was pulled from a garden.

It happened on Coniston Grove, in Acklam, Middlesbrough, at around 12.30am on Saturday, May 23.

PC Jason Arbuckle, of Coulby Newham Police Station, said: "The problems we have with youths in the area mainly occur on Friday and Saturday nights.

"Youths tend to gather on the field at Mill Hill, which is just off St.Mary’s walk and they use Coniston Grove to get there and to get to the takeaway outlets at Acklam Shops.

"A high percentage of the youths are under the influence of alcohol. They make a lot of noise and damage cars, motorbikes, houses and gardens.

"The residents are understandably sick and tired of the problems that these youths are causing.

"Whilst we are doing everything possible to deal with these issues, we need the local residents to know that we need their assistance and support."

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Arbuckle on 01642-303126.