POLICE targeted the troubled Wilton Lane Estate in Guisborough at the weekend, in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour and under-age drinking.

Although there were fewer youths congregating than the previous weekend, when residents complained of groups of up to 60 youngsters drinking and being rowdy, police did confiscate a quantity of alcohol.

Supt Dee Collins said that about two crates of alcohol had been seized by officers from youngsters in the Howlbeck area.

They had also dealt with minor incidents involving damage being caused by youngsters.

"We will make inquiries with shop keepers in the Guisborough area to give them some advice about selling alcohol to under-age people and we will prosecute offenders if we have the evidence," she added.

One resident said that on Thursday night she saw youngsters smashing four street lights on the estate, but the police were unable to attend the incident until four hours after it happened.

She said: "They apologised for the delay in coming out when I rang them the next day to see what happened with it, but it's like banging your head against a brick wall all the time.

"I was told that if something more important came up, the police would have to attend that, which I understand, but they want to come and live round here. It does make you feel what's the point of reporting things."

Problems on the estate reached breaking point for many residents, fed-up with the anti-social and illegal behaviour, vandalism, youngsters having sex on pathways, drinking, drugs and yob culture, at the start of the summer holidays.

Many are elderly or disabled and feel intimidated by youths on the estate who are abusive.

Local councillors, Redcar and Cleveland Council, Coast and Country Housing Association, the police and other agencies have met residents to find some solutions.

The council and Coast and Country have agreed to look at ways of improving the estate, such as cutting down overgrown bushes and trees.

The police and community wardens have been increasing their patrols in the area when resources allow. They have also been gathering intelligence on what is happening on the estate.

The agencies will meet residents in September to discuss the way forward.