RESIDENTS on a Salisbury housing estate say they are becoming prisoners in their own homes.

They claim a culture of intimidation is sweeping Essex Square at Harnham, leaving elderly residents too scared to go out at night and parents too frightened to allow their children in the community play area.

Concerns include under-age drinking and drug taking, youths urinating, vomiting and defecating in the children's play area, glass bottles smashed all over the play area, repeated vandalism to a phone box, abusive language, milk bottles smashed in people's front gardens and a car pushed over.

This week, a dossier of comments from 53 local residents was presented to the Journal.

Described as 'a plea for help' from the residents of Essex Square, it described some of the daily problems and also made clear residents' opposition to plans to build a chill-out zone of partially sheltered seats for teenagers near the children's play area.

Residents think the proposed shelter would be vandalised and simply become a magnet for more rowdy teenagers.