Disgusted residents fed up with youths spitting, exposing themselves and vandalising a park have formed a Neighbourhood Watch to combat the problem.

And councillors, who attended the launch meeting in Calverley, pledged to get anti-social behaviour orders against the teenagers if nothing else works.

About 30 residents from the Salisbury Street and Salisbury Place side of Calverley Park met to form the Watch.

Residents complained about the group of teenagers who cause mayhem in the park.

According to Philip Jones, of Salisbury Place, about eight of the teenagers were local, with about 20 from nearby areas.

Among the crimes, committed by both males and females, were setting fire to hedges and benches in the park, graffiti, spitting at passers-by and exposing themselves.

If residents approached the youths, they were abused and their property was damaged, they claimed.

Mr Jones said: "When I confronted them, my car was scratched from end to end."

Some residents had recorded events from over the past year in diaries, which they will share with police.

One woman, who refused to be named for fear of reprisals, said: "I was walking with my baby and they stopped me getting past. Another woman pushing a baby was spat at in the face.

Community PC Michelle Linney explained the advantages of having a Neighbourhood Watch scheme to those attending the meeting.

But residents suggested slapping anti-social behaviour orders on the delinquents.

Councillor Andrew Carter said he had met police to urge that letters be sent to known ring-leaders.

Although orders have generally been used in inner-city council estates, he said, they would push for them to be used in surburban areas.

The penalty for breaching an order can be up to five years in prison.

Coun Carter added that money would soon be spent on a children's play area in Calverley Park and Leeds Council would soon have further money for a skateboarding park.