Residents in Silsden are demanding action after a series of disturbing pranks by youngsters and adults.

People living in Bradford Council-owned accommodation have complained that they are being targeted by pranksters who are making their lives a misery.

Some have even complained that human faeces has been found on several occasions in their back gardens because there is nothing to keep people out.

They say an easy answer would be to install garden gates at the foot of the paths which lead to their homes.

The gates are just one in a series of repairs and other measures being sought by residents living in Gloucester Avenue.

And they have pinned their hopes on a recent visit by housing bosses who toured the area.

Resident Peter Sykes said: "People can just run down our paths and into our back gardens.

"We've had them ringing the doorbell and running away and that's not kids because its happening in the early hours of the morning sometimes.

"Garden gates would maybe prevent people from coming down the driveways."

Mr Sykes tends his garden regularly and he said there have been occasions when youngsters have almost destroyed people's hedges by jumping into them - a craze known as "hedge hopping".

Mr Sykes added that he and his neighbours have also experienced problems, including many incidents of human faeces being found in gardens and even on a garden seat belonging to an elderly woman.

Residents say their homes are also in need of new roofs, as the existing flat ones let in water, leading to damp patches on the ceiling.

Some also want new doors and repairs to the pebble-dashing covering their homes.

"They promised us the pebble-dashing when we had our windows done two years ago, but nothing's happened," said Mr Sykes.

Silsden police are looking into the problems after introducing a series of regular surgeries at the centre there once a month in conjunction with the parish council.

Councillors Chris Atkinson and Paul Bromley have taken up residents' worries with an official from Bradford Council's housing department who visited the area.

"He said he would see what he could do, but at this early stage he couldn't promise anything," said Coun Atkinson.

"But at least he came out and had a look, which is better than nothing at all."

A council housing spokesman said the housing manager visited Gloucester Avenue with a parish councillor to discuss tenants' concerns.

"He was informed about problems with roofs, replacement doors and pebble dashing and that some tenants would like garden gates fitting - although these houses have never had gates. He was unaware that tenants were suffering from problems.

"We will liaise with police about the nuisance and look into the possibility of fitting gates."

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