A GANG of youths are causing havoc on an estate in Worcester.

The youngsters have been accused of smashing bottles, urinating in bins and smoking drugs in and around Fairmount Road, Brickfields.

West Mercia Homes has sent a letter to tenants warning them they could face action if they harbour the troublemakers.

Armed police officers descended on the street last weekend and a 20-year-old man has since been charged for driving offences.

One resident, who was too frightened to be named, said: "They stand in the alleyway [connecting with Goldsmith Road], drinking and smoking.

"They are doing bongs in the alleyway, there are condoms and broken glass. We have loud music, shouting and fighting on the grass.

"When you approach them you get verbal. There's about 15 of them, half are under 18.

"People don't like going to the alleyway, they are intimidated. People are too frightened to bring their kids out. The estate used to be lovely."

The 42-year-old nurse said residents have been trying to get Worcestershire County Council to shut the alleyway, however the council says it is the responsibility of Kier Partnership Homes. She added that the alleyway was bricked off around 10 years ago.

An 18-year-old carer, who also lives in the road, said: "The problems are common here. "I don't feel safe going around on my own in this area anymore.

"I have to lock the door all the time. Everyone is on their last chance of getting evicted, everyone got anti-social behaviour letters. Something needs to be done about it."

A mother-of-four, aged 37, added that the youths kick footballs at cars, damaging the windows, while another woman said they shout profanities through her window.

The 46-year-old said they also urinated in her bins and she now plans to install a £300 fence outside her home.

One resident, aged 55, described the kids as a nuisance who have nothing better to do.

A spokesman for West Mercia Homes said: “We are aware of anti-social behaviour in the area of Fairmount Road and we are working closely with West Mercia Police and our residents to try to end this problem.

“We would urge any of our residents who are experiencing anti-social behaviour to report it to us or the police so that we can take action against the people responsible.”

West Mercia Police was called to an incident in Fairmount Road, Worcester at around 12.30am on August 5.

Billy-Jo Shepard, aged 20, of Oak Avenue, Worcester, has been charged with one count of driving a vehicle without a valid licence and one count of driving without insurance.

Shepard is due to appear at Worcester Magistrates Court on August 23.