A TORMENTED community has been promised an increased police presence in an attempt to clampdown on weekend troublemakers.

High visibility patrols will be seen the streets of Linthorpe, in Middlesbrough, from tonight after the area experienced near- riots over the previous two weekends.

The promise came after a meeting of Linthorpe Community Network called for more officers to tackle the escalating problem.

Residents have complained that up to 350 youngsters have been congregating in the suburb to drink alcohol, fight and cause trouble.

Ward councillor Jackie Elder said: "I am absolutely appalled by what is happening in this area.

"People are threatening to move away from the area they have lived in for years because of anti-social behaviour - it is shocking.

"The meeting was very productive and it was good to hear the police accept that there is an anti-social problem in the area and they intend to do something about it.

"In the past two weekends, we have had near-riots and it appears that youths have been coming from all over the town to get drunk, cause trouble and intimidate local residents - it is just not on."

Last week, the chairman of the community group, George Melville, was abused, threatened and spat at by a teenage girl when he encountered the girl at the Roman Road shops.

A police spokeswoman said: "We will take part in a high-profile policing operation from tonight in the Linthorpe area.

"We do realise there is a problem in the area at the moment. We have been called several times and youths have been dispersed.

"We are taking positive action after receiving a number of calls from the public regarding anti-social behaviour.

"We will act firmly in dealing with these problems."