COUNCIL officials in Darlington are appealing for information to help them to take action against problem tenants and anti-social behaviour.

The borough council says it is difficult to deal with problems in the Minors Crescent area of Branksome because of the lack of evidence. Officers know there is a problem, but have difficulty serving anti-social behaviour orders or eviction notices without the right information.

One resident, whose name the Advertiser has withheld, says the problems make life hell for her and her children. She has lived in the area for 20 years, but says the problems have become worse in the two years since she bought her council house.

"It's a normal thing to see youths, 12 to 20, walking round with planks with nails in, either systematically attacking each other or beating other people up," she said.

She said her car had been attacked 12 times this year and claimed four families had moved out in recent weeks because of the problems. She said her reluctance to allow her eight and 11-year-old girls out is turning them into social lepers.

Some buses to the area have been stopped because of a series of attacks on services in the area.

A council spokesman said: "We know who some of these youngsters are and we have spoken to parents. One of the difficulties we have is that residents who complain aren't keeping things like diaries of events, so that we have hard evidence."

He said people were reluctant to come forward, particularly when it came to reporting anti-social behaviour to police.

A police spokesman said: "If anyone has a problem, we are happy for them to get in touch and talk to us about it, particularly if they can offer information that would point to those responsible." Anybody with information for the police should call (01325) 467681.