Police chiefs are urging Yeadon residents to give them proof that a 40-strong mob of youngsters exists.

Sergeant Colin Haigh has patrolled Yeadon town centre for the past two weeks to catch the mob of youths allegedly responsible for terrorising the area, but he can find no evidence of its existence.

He was alerted to the mob problem following a public meeting in April in which more than 60 residents demanded action.

"If Yeadon has got a massive problem then I am struggling to find it," he said.

"We are trying to sort this area out and improve it. We have got crime down when in most areas it is going up.

"When we are there, there are no groups. If there was a 40-strong mob it can only have been once. We are appealing for people to come forward with evidence of the anti-social behaviour. If anyone has got information about the youngsters we will look at it.

"Most evenings over the past two weeks we have been looking for this group. We have seen very few children and when looking through the crime records there is not any crime.

"If they are getting these problems we need to know. I am not disputing that there may be damage in Yeadon but it is not being reported to us."

Sgt Haigh, of the Pudsey and Weetwood Community Policing Team, said that crime in the area has been reduced by 13 per cent compared to the same period last year. The police have only had two crimes reported on Yeadon High Street since January.

The issue of yobs in the town was raised at a church meeting in April, where traders, residents and church leaders claimed they were being terrorised by anti-social youths in large gangs.

Incidents included property been set on fire, stones thrown through church windows and people been intimidated.

Councillor Stuart Andrew (Con, Aireborough) who attended the meeting, still believes there is a real problem.

"The meeting was full of people who were concerned about anti-social behaviour - either they are all seeing mirages or it is actual fact," he said.

"The point is local residents felt that when they did call the police they either didn't come out or they came too late.

"We have to make sure that local people do report incidents but also that the police do respond in time.

"There is a problem the scouts have had, the people living locally and some of the traders. I saw that the hairdresser's shop roof has been damaged again.

"It is not a figment of their imagination, this is why I think the issue needs addressing and the next meeting will be a chance to do that."

Aireborough councillors will be holding a public meeting at Yeadon Town Hall on Thursday, June 5, at 7pm to discuss the matter further. Schools, police, traders and residents have been invited to try and resolve any problems.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Haigh is urging people to contact him with any information.

"If they have got any damage or want to inform us about who is doing this then let us know. We have seen no graffiti. I can understand people do have damage."

l Anyone with information should contact the Community Policing Team on (0113) 239 5024.