RESIDENTS of a Gillingham close are pleading for help to rid their street of intimidating teenage yobs.

People living in Freesia Close want heads of the Moat Housing Society and police to take action. They say the teenagers gather in the close every night, vandalise people's property and verbally abuse the residents.

One resident, Margaret Chalmers, said: "I have lived here for 14 years and it's getting worse and worse. We will have to take vigilante action if nothing gets done soon."

Michael Butler, another resident, said: "They are throwing wood, running in and out of gardens, throwing stones, destroying cars and vandalising fences. It goes on every day and we never get a break. And of course it gets much worse during holidays."

MP Paul Clark met residents yesterday and agreed their problem must be taken seriously.

He said: "We clearly have a major problem and it now means all the agencies must focus their attention on this particular area."

Mr Clark said the Government's new bill on anti-social behaviour, which is expected next month, will address this type of problem.