PEOPLE living in a riverside part of Yarm say they are being besieged by criminals.

This weekend, town councillors will visit the area to see why the problems have come about on private land near The Rookery.

One householder who has suffered arson, damage and theft has vowed: "I am determined to stop crime happening against me and my property."

The man, who would not be named for fear of reprisals, praised the council for acting on reports of crime.

Councillors are considering putting up a fence to keep people out of the private area next to council-owned woodland.

Problems arose when a public footpath was extended from The Rookery and through river-edge gardens which slope down from homes in Hawthorn Grove.

It is thought the work was done a few years ago as part of culvert repairs or nature conservancy. Sleepers were put down to form a bridge between the two sections of land.

But there is nothing to tell people they are entering private property.

At last week's town council meeting, two residents appealed for action.

Steve Derwin said: "We have enjoyed seeing people by the river and it is with great disappointment that we have come to this.

"Peaceable people sitting by the jetty are not a problem. But this is now an access route for criminals. We are besieged."

He said and all his neighbours had suffered from crime.

The council has already obtained land management suggestions from Stockton borough.

Coun Eric Turton wanted to form a circular path in The Rookery and implement the land management ideas.

Coun Peter Monck was against this. "This is an ancient woodland and the only one we have," he said. "We don't want to encourage more general use of this place."

Coun Marjorie Simpson warned the problems could mean the right of way being closed.

Coun Jake Dale said the council should concentrate on a deterrent division between the areas of land, combining residents' requirements with care of an ancient woodland.

"We must minimise the risk to residents," he said.

Chairman Liz Marsden said: "We need to get on with this very quickly and get some fencing up. With summer coming on, things can only get worse. The question of land management can be considered later."

It was agreed to put up fencing between the land as soon as possible and to meet residents on site.

The resident who would not be named said later: "I am pleased the council is giving serious consideration to the problems of crime experienced by homes on the south side of the river.

"Because of the council's forward-thinking and proposals now being considered, there appears to be chance of better security for us all."

He said the vigilance of Cleveland police was also going a long way to tackle the problem.

Northumbrian Water said the sleepers were not put down as part of its work, but were already in place when the culvert scheme began