A GROUP of pensioners say they are being terrorised by youths who climb on their roofs late at night.

Now some residents say they are too scared to sleep at night after a recent spate of problems at the bungalows in Chartist Way, Blackwood.

Kenneth Etheridge, 80, a retired council groundsman, said youths were climbing on roofs as late as 11pm. He added: "They have also been damaging television aerials while they are up there and running through our gardens.

"They seem to have no respect for anybody because the police have come around here several times but the youths always seem to return.

"The effect of the behaviour on the residents around here has been devastating. Some are just too afraid to go out at night and some can't even get off to sleep at night because the kids are scampering about on their roofs. The police have advised us not to approach them but it is difficult because it just makes me so mad."

Sergeant Rhydwyn Harris, of Blackwood police, said officers would be stepping up patrols to protect the elderly residents.

He said: "We take their concerns very seriously and we will be patrolling the area and we would urge pensioners to contact the police immediately if they feel threatened."

Elderly residents say around 12 youths aged around 12 are responsible for the incidents, which started four months ago.

But they say that in past weeks the problems have got worse and claim some locals have been threatened by the youths and several plant pots smashed.

Mr Etheridge's son, Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge, has drawn up a petition calling for measures to prevent the youths "terrorising" his parents and their neighbours.

Councillor Etheridge said: "We want more of a police presence at nights with perhaps the mobile CCTV unit coming up to monitor the behaviour of these rowdies."

The petition was delivered to Blackwood police station on Tuesday.