NEW fencing is forming a barrier against crime in a Teesside community.

Two metre high steel palisade barriers have been erected in Rafton Drive and Miller Crescent, Hartlepool, to prevent gangs from gaining access to homes and garages.

The Rafton Drive fencing stretches 45m, between Clavering field and residents' homes, while the fence in Miller Crescent provides more than 30m of protection for pensioners' bungalows.

The schemes have been funded by the North Neighbourhood Forum and Hartlepool Borough Council, which have each paid half of the £5,750 total cost of the fences.

They have been welcomed by residents, particularly in Rafton Drive.

Anthony Scarre, the council's northern area manager, said: "We received a petition from fed up residents of Rafton Drive. We felt they were entitled to a bit of peace and quiet, and that is why we agreed to fund the fence.

"Similar problems were occurring in Miller Crescent, where a mesh fence which had been damaged was not enough to prevent youths pestering the elderly residents."

Both fences were made and erected by local firm Pearts, and have been painted green to blend in with their surroundings.

Councillor Edna Wright, chairman of the North Neighbourhood Forum, said: "It is extremely distressing to be subjected to this kind of nuisance on a regular basis, and I am delighted to hear that residents have welcomed the action we have taken.

"This should alleviate the problems they have had, and hopefully, give them a better quality of life."