FURIOUS families are so fed up with hooligan youngsters they are threatening to set up vigilante groups to patrol their streets.

They say their lives have been made hell by gangs of youths and claim police have failed to tackle the problem.

The victims, who live on Portland, say young people have abused them and damaged their property.

They claim that some residents are so fed up they are thinking about setting up vigilante groups in an attempt to combat the issue.

People say that the groups of youngsters - many recently-arrived in the area - are causing worried pensioners to steer clear of walking along Fortuneswell because they fear being attacked.

One man, who did not want to be named, said: "Things have been a real nightmare recently and some people are fed up with nothing being done.

"It shouldn't be like this, but we will start getting together to start sorting the problem out ourselves soon unless the police do something."

The man added: "How can anyone expect you not to react when you are constantly abused and threatened? These kids shouldn't be allowed to get away with it - their parents should do more."

One frustrated resident, Roger Matthews, said he recently saw a host of incidents in just 24 hours.

Mr Matthews, whose car has been vandalised twice, said he watched children verbally abuse a man through his own letter box and a short time later a woman asked him to walk with her along the street because she was frightened.

He added that stone throwing youngsters smashed a car window and the next day its owner was threatened and attacked by a gang.

"Children have no fear of the law any more and although I don't agree with it, I've heard a lot of people say if the law won't do anything, they will. I fear for what could happen in the future," he said.

Mr Matthews, who said he intended to set up closed-circuit cameras to keep an eye on the gangs, added that he would like to see a 'zero tolerance' system enforced by the police and a meeting held to discuss the matter.

Resident Phillip Brown added: "We've spoken to the police and they are as frustrated as we are, but their hands seem to be tied about what they can do."

A local shopkeeper said the trouble had caused her to think about selling up.

"The youngsters have nowhere to go, but there's no excuse for what's been going on," she said.

Another woman complained she had reported an incident to the police but no officers had turned up in response to her call despite a wait of 48 hours.

Inspector Tony Rudd of West Weymouth police said they were aware of the problems in the area.

He added: "Clearly it is not nice for those who have been affected, but often tales tend to stir up fears for some people. The community need to work with the police in a proper and responsible manner and should contact us if they have any concerns."