CONCERNED residents on a York housing estate have spoken out about a lack of security.

The Press told earlier this week how councillors for the Acomb ward have called for new security measures at Sovereign Park because bikes were being stolen and fires started as a result of having no doors on bin and bike storage facilities.

Councillors David Horton and Tracey Simpson-Laing have called on the development companies, Barratt and Persimmon, to take action over "inadequate" security measures on the development.

One despairing resident told The Press the lives of residents were being plagued by nuisance youths.

He said: "Over the past month or so, we have encountered a lot more problems than usual, although we've always had the break-ins to cars in the parking lot, bin sheds being set on fire, gutters and tiles of the bin sheds being smashed by youths, bikes stolen out of the bike sheds and scooters which have been vandalised."

He said he had been sworn at by youths, who had become abusive and hostile when he confronted them.

"The women who live in Sovereign House feel totally threatened and intimidated when coming home after a day's work to be confronted by the youths that we have been having problems with," he said.

He said local PC Graham Cooper and Police Community Support Officer Paul Bell had done what they could to help and residents were grateful for their efforts, but he said police had failed to send anyone when he called up about criminal damage last week.

He said: "Just the other night, I called and reported some youths smashing roof tiles with a ball and climbing in the rafters of the roof of the bin shed and bike shed, only to be told that they would try to send some one around."

But he said the first call was made at 5pm and, by 9.30pm, they had still not turned up.

"Even though the youths had moved on, it would have been good to actually have seen a patrol car coming round to follow up on what was reported four and a half hours earlier," he added.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said: "We are aware of residents' concerns and officers have identified some of the unruly youths responsible. Official police letters are being sent to their parents."

Paul Newman, managing director at Barratt York, earlier told The Press: "We are committed to developing high-quality new homes in York and the surround-ing areas, and the security and well being of our customers is a key priority.

"As far as we are aware, the bin fires and cycle thefts are isolated incidents and problems that we have not experienced at our many other sites throughout the region.

"We are concerned that the York Labour group councillors have not spoken with us directly about these issues. We are very willing to meet with them to discuss their concerns and find a solution that is in the best interest of the residents at Sovereign Park."