PEOPLE living on a Darlington estate that is plagued by vandals are calling on the council to fit security cameras in an attempt to cut crime.

This week, the Skerne Park pub was hit by vandals who daubed obscene graffiti on the walls and splashed thick white paint on the glass of newly-fitted windows, causing thousands of pounds of damage.

Last year, residents held a public meeting to discuss the estate's problems, following the withdrawal of bus services by Arriva because of youth crime problems.

Now Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Tracey Gregory is urging Darlington Borough Council to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras throughout the estate.

She said: "Residents are very concerned about what is going on.

"We still have a huge problem on Skerne Park. The benefits of CCTV would have allowed us to have caught those responsible for the vandalism on the pub.

"It is located opposite the school playground and our children have had to look at the obscenities for two days, until the brewery were able to paint them out.

"As a parent I am horrified my children have been subjected to this.

"We, the residents, have to take note and fight for CCTV. We are not going to tolerate this sort of mindless vandalism and will do anything we can to re-establish community spirit on Skerne Park."

Ms Gregory has written to Darlington MP Alan Milburn, who she said was aware of the continuing problems on the estate.

In October, the evening bus service to Skerne Park was withdrawn by bus company Arriva North-East following incidents of vandalism and assaults.

The move to suspend services after 6pm followed an alleged assault on a bus driver and two passengers. Stones and bricks had been thrown at vehicles and a door had been ripped off another bus.

At a public meeting, residents spoke of their fears about gangs of youths, some as young as six or seven, who were causing the trouble.

Ms Gregory said: "It's not large gangs - it's probably about half a dozen trouble-makers who encourage others. Many of them do not even live in Skerne Park, they come in from outside."