FED UP Otley pub landlords are demanding security cameras to cope with the town's unruly youths.

At yesterday's Otley Pub Watch meeting, landlords complained about gangs of teenagers descending like 'locusts'.

They said one gang, including a boy believed to be just eight years old, was meeting outside Otley Fire Station in Bondgate, shouting at passers-by and throwing missiles at cars.

The meeting, attended by most of the pubs in the town, also heard that the teenagers reacted violently when challenged and had been seen dropping their trousers at passing motorists.

One landlord added his car had repeatedly been vandalised by what he believed was the same gang.

Another, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said the teenagers were creating 'mayhem'.

"They were running back and forward over Bondgate and one lad about eight years old was very volatile. They were like locusts the way they descended. We know they set fire to things, we're worried about the pub as are most businesses in Otley."

PC Heidi Beardsmore, of the Otley Community Policing Team, said she sympathised with the landlords but stressed that video evidence was the best way to stop the gangs.

She said she believed Otley could solve its youth problem, but that it would need the evidence gained from CCTV cameras.

"Cameras won't deter the problem, but the difference is the youths can't say they didn't do something because we'll have it in black and white."

PC Beardsmore told the meeting she had recently sent out around 50 letters to the parents of children and young people guilty of anti-social behaviour in the town.

The letters warn the parents to keep their children under control or risk them having an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) issued by the city council and the police against them.

PC Beardsmore added that those with ASBOs currently in force could be held in breach of their orders if evidence was obtained against them.

But she also told the meeting that it was not a problem exclusive to Otley, and added that up to 40 trouble making youths congregated every night outside Guiseley's Morrisons supermarket.

The landlords agreed to write to Otley Town Council, to all three Otley and Wharfedale city councillors and to Otley Town Partnership to list their fears and to ask for the urgent installation of CCTV.

Otley Councillor Nigel Francis (Con, Otley and Wharfedale) said he totally backed calls for security cameras in the town - but said the problem would be securing the money.

He also believes that in addition to fixed cameras portable equipment should be made available which could be taken to trouble spots.

"I have pleaded at the town council to get money for CCTV, but at the end of the day there is not the money to pay for it.

"I would like to ask the people in the town if they would be prepared to pay an extra £15 a year on their Council Tax to pay for it, and I am sure most of them would say yes."

Town councillor John Eveleigh said he would back CCTV if it meant giving the police extra support in their fight against anti-social youths.

"It is the next best thing to having more police in the town. I do have certain civil liberties concerns about CCTV, but at the end of the day of people are setting out to be a nuisance we have to do whatever we can to catch them."

Coun Eveleigh added that he believed the town was suffering a temporary problem with particular youths and that a long term solution should be supporting youth facilities and making sure there were things for young people to do.