RESIDENTS in a Newport street say people have been left "scared to walk the streets" after being terrorised by months of vandalism and burglaries.

Locals living on St Woolos Road say they have been plagued by a spate of burglaries and vandalism to their cars and say out-of-control teenage gangs are to blame.

Now residents are leading the fight back and are campaigning for a Neighbourhood Watch to be set up after the latest incident this week in which several cars in the street were kicked and scratched.

John Sutton, 47, whose car has been damaged three times in the past six weeks, said: "I have had enough - we all have. Monday's vandalism was the last straw."

"Last year my car was so badly damaged I had to get rid of it - deep scratches in the paintwork cost a fortune to repair all the time.

"These kids are trying to run the area, women are too scared to walk the streets alone, they throw things.

"I have always said that one day someone will get seriously hurt - then it will be too late, we need to take action now," he added.

Neighbour David Cox, 43, has had to pay for more than £1,000 worth of damage in the last three weeks.

"The police seem powerless. These youths are spoiling a decent community. They are rotten apples making the whole bunch go off. Crime and disorder reduction officer, PC Debra White, said: "We are aware of problems in the area and we are taking proactive steps to deal with the individuals involved, both in court and via social security.

"We have enlisted patrols within the area by police community support officers and we hope the vandalism will stop in the near future," she added.

Mr Sutton said: "We are rallying around to help each other. "Five or six of the neighbours are in talks and we have decided to contact the police and the council to organise a Neighbourhood Watch."