RESIDENTS say drug taking, intimidation and vandalism have made an alleyway a no-go area.

Gangs of louts are plaguing an alleyway in Ruskin Avenue, Upper Stratton, leaving residents too afraid to go out at night they claim.

Graffiti has been sprayed on the walls, drug-taking paraphernalia has been strewn on the ground and broken glass litters the pathway which leads past the Britannia Trade Park through to Swindon Road.

One family, who were too afraid of reprisals to be named, are desperate to leave the estate after only living there for six months.

A father-of-two said he had the words 'get out' smeared on the front windows of his house and was punched by one of the youths just for asking them to keep the noise down.

"Kids are down there from the early afternoon to the early hours of the morning," he said.

"They take drugs, drink and fight.

"One of my kids brought in a can from the alley which had holes cut in it to aid drug taking. It's just disgusting.

"People are reluctant to talk about it because they are scared of the consequences. It's making people's lives a misery. These kids are scumbags."

Residents say they have reported the problem to the police and are thinking about drumming up support to rekindle a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

"Needles have had to be cleared from the alleyway and they are always down there drinking booze and fornicating," said another resident, who did not wish to be named.

"I don't get on too badly with them because I speak to them at their level.

"If you don't you are likely to get your front windows smashed or have your car scratched with keys."

Police are urging residents to report any incidents so action can be taken. Insp Steve Bridge said: "Swindon police, in conjunction with partner agencies, is committed to policing anti-social behaviour.

"We have systems and processes for gathering, analy-sing and harnessing information in a way that allocates officers to priority tasks and we cannot do this unless incidents are reported to us.

"Anti-social behaviour is often committed by those living within the local community and we would encourage the public to help us with information and report incidents.

"I cannot emphasis enough how much we rely on the support of local people in helping us to tackle such problems."

Anyone with information can phone Swindon police on 01793 528111 or the Adver-backed It's Your Call hotline on 0845 605222.

Ben Payne