Residents will rally together this weekend to look at how they can best tackle the scourge of antisocial behaviour in their neighbourhood.

York MP Hugh Bayley has called a special meeting in Tang Hall of police, councillors and other groups to spotlight nuisance and disorder.

The York community has been beset by problems in recent months with resident's complaining that gangs of youths are running amok.

The Evening Press recently reported the cases of two women who have witnessed shocking behaviour such as harassment, intimidation and vandalism.

Mr Bayley said the purpose of the meeting was not to create scapegoats, but to look at the "hard and soft" options for tackling antisocial behaviour.

"It's to share information about what happens and why and to discuss in an open forum how everyone can work together to tackle antisocial behaviour in Tang Hall, and how this work might be improved.

"If we can get it right in Tang Hall, the lessons will benefit other parts of York too.

"But everyone has to work together, not just agencies like the council, police and courts, but also people who live in the area who want to make it a better place to live," he said.

One resident, who has spoken to Mr Bayley personally about her experiences as a Tang Hall resident, said she was looking forward to the meeting.

She said: "It is good that we are being taken so seriously. We just hope that something good can come out of this."

The Residents' Association, councillors, council officers, magistrates, teachers, community workers, the Probation Service and Neighbourhood Watch have also been invited to attend.

Mr Bayley said he will feed back the results of this discussion to the Home Office. He said that local experiences could help identify the need for a change in the law.

The meeting, which is open to any resident in the Tang Hall area, will be at on Saturday at 11am at Tang Hall Community Centre, Fifth Avenue.

Updated: 08:31 Friday, November 28, 2003