Residents living in a block of Bradford flats are being terrorised by a gang who have kicked down walls, broken lights, and thrown stones at windows.

Frightened residents of Weber Court, off Amberley Street, Bradford, are now afraid to leave their flats after a spate of attacks in recent weeks.

The gang of youths have been on the rampage, stripping branches from trees and pulling guttering from walls.

The residents, many of them elderly, today called on Bradford Council, which owns the flats, to introduce security cameras or a warden to deter the yobs.

The Council's director of housing pledged to look into installing more security at the flats.

Abdul Razaq, 74, who lives in one of the flats with his wife, said the paved areas and grass around the flats looks like a "war zone".

"Anything these people can destroy they will destroy," he said. "I've heard them coming in and tipping over bins and throwing things over the walls. I've had my wall knocked over."

Another resident, 78-year-old Ada Robinson, said she is so scared she is afraid to leave her flat.

"I just don't go anywhere because they watch us leave and then begin causing trouble. It's all wrong," she said.

"I can't understand why these people are doing this. It's not as if we've interfered with them or anything. It's just mindless.

"I believe we should have some protection here. Security cameras would at least deter these people."

Emily Priestley, 77, has lived in one of the flats for 25 years. She said many of the elderly residents are quite frail.

"A lot of the residents moved in here when the flats were first built and have grown old with them. It is just unfair that these attacks are happening." she said.

Geraldine Howley, Bradford Council's Director of Housing, said: "A housing officer visited the flats on Thursday night, in response to the tenants' reports of vandalism to the garden walls.

"The walls were found to be unsafe and contractors were instructed to demolish them that same night. We are currently in the process of having the walls rebuilt.

"We are currently in discussions with the police to step up security. We will also be looking into introducing security measures at the flats."

A police spokesman said: "We have received two phone calls from Mr Razaq, on July 12 and July 13, regarding a wall that he had reported had been knocked down by youths.

"If people have not reported other incidents of anti-social behaviour over the past couple of months in the Weber Court area, we would urge them to get in touch so we can investigate."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bradford Central Police Station helpdesk on 01274 376459.