Residents in three roads on a housing estate say they are being intimidated and abused by children as young as ten.
They claim they are being subjected to egg throwing, having balls constantly kicked against windows, swearing, shouting and verbal abuse.
One man who asked the youngsters to quieten down had stones thrown at him, it was said.
Householders complained that Clayton Road, Chevy Court and Stour Close, which is home to many elderly people, in Ramsey and Upper Dovercourt, have become a meeting place for rowdy youths, aged between ten and 16, who disturb them every night.
John Brown, neighbourhood watch co-ordinator, said: "This used to be a lovely area to live, and we bought council houses because we wanted to stay here," he said, "but now we just want to move."
Councillors, residents, the community policing officer and Tendring Council met to discuss the problem, but Mr Brown said nothing had been done since.
Inspector Peter Gardner, of Harwich police, said the community needed to find ways of stopping the problem before it started, by providing activities for young people.
Published Wednesday August 21, 2002
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