PROBLEMS of anti-social behaviour in the town were aired at a meeting between residents, who says they are sick of being victims, and North Swindon MP Michael Wills.

Householders from across North Swindon say they have to put up with verbal abuse and vandalism, much of which stems from underage drinking.

Lower Stratton residents say gangs of up to 40 unruly youngsters gather at recreation areas near Delamere Drive and Rainer Close every weekend.

There are also problems in the Meadowcroft area of Upper Stratton.

Residents say they are verbally abused in the street on a regular basis.

Mr Wills said: "Residents' lives have been made miserable by the behaviour of a few, and they are desperate to see an end to the difficulties they are facing.

"Anti-social behaviour can include anything from noisy neighbours to vandalism and graffiti, and has always proved difficult to deal with under criminal law."

He added that the police and Swindon Council has new powers, such as Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, to tackle the problem.

The meeting, which drew 60 residents to the Grange Drive Community Centre in Lower Stratton, was held the day after Swindon magistrates granted an order against 13-year-old Liam Walsh, of Corsham Road, Penhill.

Walsh is said to have led a gang which turned parts of Penhill into a no-go zone.

Cheri Wright, who is responsible for overseeing orders at Swindon Council, and Insp Wendy Grant, of Swindon police, also attended the meeting.

Mr Wills said that there was no easy answer to the problem of anti-social behaviour.

He said that it was worth investing money in measures to intervene at an early age to nip behaviour problems in the bud.

He added: "We have also got to find other remedies, such as providing more recreation facilities for youngsters."

Robbie Ayres, 49, of Pinnocks Place, Upper Stratton, who attended the meeting, said: "We are fed up with the problems, we get it day and night.

"Mr Wills said these things take time to solve but how long do we have to wait?"

Graham Williams, 42, of Delamere Drive, said: "Parents need to take more responsibility.

"We have problems in recreation areas in Delamere Drive and Rainer Close, where youngsters cause vandalism and leave broken glass."

In recent months, the Advertiser has reported on several instances of anti-social behaviour in Upper Stratton.

In March, pensioner Val Hearn, 68, of Derwent Drive, caught footage of youths hurling a paint canister at her home on her private CCTV system. A 16-year-old boy was convicted of the offence, and ordered to pay compensation.

Also in March, the Advertiser reported on how gangs of yobs were preventing customers from entering the Meadow-croft Express convenience store in Meadowcroft.