Residents living in fear of night-time attacks on their homes and property are fighting back against the yobs.

Neighbours have joined to develop a Neighbourhood Watch in Hazelcroft and Wharncliffe Drive in Eccleshill, Bradford, after a report in the Telegraph & Argus highlighted the problems faced by residents in the area.

Hazelcroft residents and ward councillors said the problems stemmed from an alleyway between the two roads which vandals used as an escape route.

One couple, who were too afraid to be identified, had resorted to barricading windows with chicken wire to stop vandals smashing their way in.

The couple, both in their 50s, moved to the house two-and-a-half years ago with the idea that it could be a peaceful, mortgage-free retirement home.

Within weeks their windows had been smashed, their new car damaged and a conservatory had to be replaced.

They estimated the insurance claims and repair work to be costing about £25 a week and feared insurance companies would soon refuse to cover them.

There has not been any more damage since the report was published. But the couple say they still live in fear of drug users and criminals using the alley at night.

The man said: "We still feel intimidated, we still hear them at 2am running down the alley."

In the past Bradford Council considered closing the alleyway, but a petition asking for the shortcut to be kept open meant action was never taken.

A Council spokesman said the path would remain open. But ward councillor Colin McPhee (Lib Dem) said the issue would be on the agenda at a meeting of Bradford North Area Committee in June. "We are still wanting to try and get it gated to be honest, to keep it open during the day and get it closed at night," he said.

Councillor Ann Wallace (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) said there were a lot of factors to the issues in the area.

Inspector Krzysztof Atraszkiewicz, of Bradford North Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Officers are currently involved in trying to develop a Neighbourhood Watch scheme for Hazelcroft and Wharncliffe Drive."

He said the scheme was a recommendation for improvement which had been made by the division's crime reduction officer.

Residents are urged to attend a meeting at Javelin House police station on Monday at 6pm.