Residents living in fear of crime have been promised action in a bid to stop young hooligans.

But police and Bradford Council officers have called on the Lower Baildon community to play its part in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour.

Concerns about crime, vandalism, drug dealing, truancy, police response times and nuisance behaviour in the Roberts Park and Coach Road areas were expressed during a special Neighbourhood Forum meeting on Tuesday. Residents said vandalism, unruly behaviour by large groups of youths and cars being raced around the streets had turned the park and Coach Road areas into no-go areas at night.

Bradford Council tenancy enforcement officer Helen Smith said problems referred through the housing office, police or ward councillors would be investigated and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO) could be served requiring offenders to stay out of specific areas or avoid associating with certain people or risk being jailed.

Keighley's divisional police commander, Chief Superintendent Graham Sunderland, said high-visibility foot patrols would continue.

Response times would improve from next month when officers policing Baildon would move from Ilkley to Shipley, and a delegated officer would keep people informed on the progress of investigations.

He added: "People talk about gangs but 97 per cent of the community are law abiding citizens. Three per cent aren't, so if the 97 per cent work together who's got the most to fear?

"We'll only win if we all get together."