A head teacher is working with police to try to catch a gang of youths who are making people’s lives a misery on a housing estate.

According to residents in The Avenue in Hersden, a group of youngsters have been knocking or kicking front doors before running away.

Nicki Mattin, principal of Spires Academy, confirmed a complaint had been made about it possibly being pupils from her school and says she is working with officers.

Emlyn Vaughan, who lives in The Avenue, says the problem has got so bad, his partner fears for her safety due to ongoing attacks on their house.

The 37-year-old claims it began with an innocent game, but quickly became more menacing, with the gang kicking their front door until it cracked and masonry fell off.

He has had to fix the locks and is now considering putting cameras up outside.

“I’m from South Africa - we moved here in 1999 - and it’s the norm there to have security at your home, but I didn’t expect to have to do that here,” he explained.

“It was all quite innocent at first. The kids were knocking on the door and running away - kids will be kids.

"Then it started escalating and they started kicking the door hard. It was as though they were trying to kick it down.”

He says his biggest concern is the impact on his partner who is usually on her own in the house during the day.

“It’s getting to the point where she doesn’t feel safe in her own home,” he said.

“We’ve seen kids around the area and they just crack on and play, but some of the older kids are initiating the whole thing.

“I caught up with a couple of them and asked them not to kick the door, that it is causing unnecessary distress.

“They acknowledged it and said they wouldn’t do it again but then other kids from the group do it instead.”

When he posted his concerns on Facebook, others responded saying they had experienced similar issues but on a less frequent basis.

The account manager believes it is pupils from Spires Academy as he spotted the uniform and says it usually happens after school.

“The school has been very good and the police have been exceptional, putting on patrols from the anti-social behaviour unit,” he said.

Principal Ms Mattin says the school is working with police to identify the culprits, adding: “This type of behaviour is unacceptable and not what we expect from our students.”

Police say PCSOs have been patrolling the area to try and identify those responsible.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting 13-1151.