PERSISTENT anti-social behaviour by gangs of teenagers is to be tackled with a new police campaign backed by a West Cumbrian community group.

Intimidation of residents, breaking into buildings and damaging property across the Orgill estate in Egremont will now see increased police patrols and possible prosecutions.

And parents are also being urged to know where and what their children are up to when out at night.

Orgill and Castle Croft Residents and Tenants Group is supporting the police in this latest campaign.

Neil Ferguson, chairman of the tenants group, said: "We reported the problem to the police, there has been a bit of anti-social behaviour of different varieties around Orgill.

"It's by the shops and the old fish and chip shop, which has been shut down for four years. There's an alleyway where they meet to get together and then they wander around and do daft things."

The issue originally arose in March when gangs of teenagers left graffiti, tore down guttering and ripped off roof covering at Howgill Family Centre's Open Gates Nursery and Orgill Primary School.

Police say anti-social behaviour deemed as serious could lead to prosecution.

"Kids have broken into an outhouse and left rubbish, they went onto the roof and smashed it from the outside," said Mr Ferguson.

"People have been intimidated too, with mud bombs, tomatoes and eggs thrown at the window of a woman who complained."

One concerned resident, who didn't want to be named for fear of being targeted, said: "They gather at nights and weekends outside the shops and by the fish and chip shop. It's mainly kids who are bored and have nothing to do.

"They've caused damage at the back of the shop and I know there has been trouble at Open Gates nursery before. It is a worry what they get up to when it is dark."

Cumbria Police say there will be increased PCSO patrols in the area and young people acting in an anti-social manner will be referred back to their parents.

They will also be spoken to by officers from Copeland's problem solving team.

Anyone with any information regarding anti-social behaviour should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.