Joe Murray, 77, who lives in Rodney Street, Hartlepool, says his life is being made a misery by yobs taking drugs, shouting and swearing in the street at all hours of the night.

Mr Murray hit out at police for not reacting to complaints of anti-social behaviour quickly enough.

He said: "I'm sick of getting on to the police for what's going on here late at night and in the early hours of the morning.

"The police say they are going to send somebody round, but when they come it's too late.

"They come round maybe the next day or the day after, and that's the last you hear of it.

"I'm going round the bend.

"There are people shouting, screaming and swearing in the street.
"Sometimes it goes on until four in the morning.

"Something's got to be done."

Mr Murray, who bought his house after a career in the merchant navy, said the street has got steadily worse during the 30 years he has lived in it.

He says anti-social behaviour has been going on for months and on Friday night people were kicking on doors and windows in the street.

Mr Murray added: "When I first came here they were all old people.
"The only time you ever saw kids was when they came to see their grandparents.

"It was a lovely street, but it's been going down and down.

"People have sold their houses for buttons to get out."

Rodney Street is included in a huge council regeneration scheme where run-down houses are planned to be demolished and new ones built.

The plans hit the skids due to funding problems but the council has said it is still looking at ways of getting the scheme moving again.

In the meantime many houses in the area are standing empty and boarded up.

But police say they are aware of the problems and are working to deal with them.

Sergeant Glen Westmoreland of Hartlepool Police said: "We are aware of Mr Murray's concerns and are liaising with both Mr Murray and partners, including the Anti-social Behaviour Unit, to offer support and ensure that any issue is resolved as quickly as possible."