RESIDENTS on a Southampton estate where gangs of youths erupted into violence and left a house badly damaged say they are planning to work together to stamp out any further anti-social behaviour.

Plans for a neighbourhood watch scheme, a petition for CCTV cameras and support services to ensure residents report trouble to the police were ideas put forward at a special meeting of neighbours and community leaders in Thornhill last night.

The meeting, organised by community regeneration group Thornhill Plus You, was held after a night of violence in the Lydgate Green area, which saw nine youths arrested and released on bail while investigations continue.

Concerns about the amount of police cover for Thornhill, access teenagers have to alcohol and the fear brought on by large numbers of youths gathering were all raised by the residents.

Terry Foley, 62, of Lydgate Green, said the meeting was a "step in the right direction", adding: "It's too early to say whether or not anything will come from this but I am one person who is willing to stand up and get involved in ideas like a neighbourhood watch. And I think others will as well."

Thornhill police officer Sgt Stuart Baker told the residents that his team was now up to full strength and included four police constables and five PCSOs for the area. He also said that despite the incident on April 11, the level of low key anti-social behaviour incidents was quite low for the area and in Thornhill the records showed a decline in antisocial behaviour.

"Whether this is because people are not reporting incidents, we don't know,"

he told the meeting.

He told the Daily Echo: "From the meeting it is clear that there are issues happening in the area and we urge people to report them to us.

"A lot of the time we don't get told about incidents and people need to get in touch."

Thornhill Plus You board chairman Debbie King added: "A lot of people came to the meeting and that is excellent.

It takes a lot of courage and is good for people to air their views and come together to find a solution. We will be sending out feedback from the meeting and advising people on how best to report incidents."

Housing officers and the city council's anti-social behaviour team were also at the meeting and backed pleas for residents to report any trouble in their neighbourhoods to them or the police.