Intimidated residents in Bell Court, Wellingborough, an area of sheltered housing managed by Wellingborough Council, had asked for help from the police because of groups of youths acting anti-socially in the area.

Although police said there had been no crimes committed, the presence of youths and adults in the area, especially at night, was causing worry for residents.

Wellingborough East SCT has now made the issue one of its priorities for the next two months.

PCSO Melissa Thomas said: "We are increasing the patrols in the area, moving on groups of youths and introducing things like the Infuse Youth Cafe to them as somewhere they can go in the evening.

"With there being elderly residents around there they need to realise how intimidating groups of youths can be to them.

"From a police point of view we just have to move the youths on and give them other things to do."

Bell Court resident Stanley Cooper, 81, said: "These kids might have nothing to do, but sometimes they are just noisy and shouting outside and it's not on.

"These are all elderly people around here, and we need our peace.

"You don't feel safe when you can hear people hanging around at night, drinking."

Anti-social behaviour in the north of the county has been falling, with police reporting a 17 per cent decrease in incidents from April to September this year compared to the same period in 2007. The SCT, which covers the town centre area as well as the Castle ward area, sets its priorities according to feedback from residents.

Other issues chosen for the October to December period were theft in the town centre, and speeding on Melton Road.

Officers have already launched a number of anti-theft initiatives in the town centre, with the mobile police station set up in Market Street.

Speeding on Melton Road is a danger because it is a narrow Victorian road with cars parked on both sides and a dangerous crossroads in the middle.