A SECRET surveillance operation has exposed a catalogue of crime as gangs of youths run amok on the streets of a troubled York estate.

Terrified residents in Acomb's Chapelfields Road area have covertly recorded the reign of terror.

The Evening Press has been shown some of the criminal and anti-social behaviour caught on camera in just one night this week. It includes:

- A boy threatening passers-by with a screwdriver before vandalising a telegraph pole

- An unconscious teenage girl being carried through the streets and put into a car as dozens of youths look on

- A group of boys, some as young as primary school age, drinking alcohol and appearing to smoke cannabis on a street corner.

Emergency services have confirmed that on the same night:

- A 15-year-old boy was taken to hospital after being badly beaten in Chapelfields for allegedly refusing to hand over cigarettes

- A teenage girl was taken from Foxwood to York District Hospital after swallowing a cocktail of drink and drugs.

Jane (not her real name) said she felt compelled to film the youths after she was assaulted two weeks ago by a girl who was vandalising her garden.

She said: "We weren't angels when we were young, but it was never like this. These kids are totally out of control.

"The police don't seem to be able to help us and when they come it is as if the kids disappear into a black hole."

Jane, who still has bruises from the attack, has joined up with other residents to compile a record of incidents. They say that gangs of up to 30 children aged between six and 18 regularly gather in the streets.

A friend, who is also too scared to be named and is taking medication for stress, said: "This situation is ruining our lives - we are being driven to desperation.

"There just doesn't seem to be anybody who can help us."

Sgt Richard Spedding, of Acomb Police, said North Yorkshire Police would welcome any initiative that would reduce crime, but appealed for the residents to work with police.

He said: "I would appeal for these people to come forward and speak to us on a confidential basis and to give us the evidence that they have gathered."

Acomb councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing said she was willing to act as a go-between for residents and police to get culprits identified and stopped.

She said: "If the residents do not help us by coming forward we cannot help them improve their quality of life."

Updated: 10:16 Saturday, April 20, 2002