RESIDENTS in Silsden are demanding action after a series of disturbing pranks by youngsters and adults.

People living in council-owned accommodation have complained that they are being targeted by pranksters who are making their lives a misery.

Some have even complained that human faeces have been found in their back gardens because there is nothing to keep people out.

They say an easy answer would be to install garden gates at the foot of the paths which lead to their homes.

But garden gates are just one in a long line of repairs and other measures being sought by residents in Gloucester Avenue.

And they have pinned their hopes on a recent visit by housing bosses who toured the area and looked at their concerns.

Peter Sykes is one of those who has been plagued by problems.

"People can just run down our paths and into our back gardens," he told the Herald.

"We've had people ringing the doorbell and running away and that's not kids because its happening in the early hours of the morning sometimes.

"Garden gates would maybe just prevent people from coming down the driveways."

Mr Sykes, like the majority of the residents living in council accommodation on Gloucester Avenue, tends his garden regularly.

He says there have been occasions when youngsters have almost destroyed people's hedgerows by jumping into them - a craze known as "hedge hopping".

"When you get your hedge looking nice the last thing you want is for them to be destroyed," he said.

Mr Sykes added that he and his neighbours had experienced other problems, including many incidents of human faeces being found in gardens and even on a garden seat belonging to an elderly lady.

Residents say their homes are also in need of new roofs, as the current flat ones let in water, leading to damp patches on the ceiling.

Some also want new doors and repairs to the pebble dashing covering their homes.

"They promised us the pebble dashing when we had our windows done two years ago, but nothing's happened," said Mr Sykes.

Silsden police are looking into the problems on the estate after introducing a series of regular surgeries at the centre there once a month, in conjunction with the parish council.

Councillors Chris Atkinson and Paul Bromley have taken up their battle on the repairs front, with an official from Bradford Council's housing department touring the area recently.

"He said he would see what he could do, but at this early stage he couldn't promise anything," said Coun Atkinson. "But at least he came out and had a look, which is better than nothing at all."

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