A HAMPSHIRE family have vowed not be driven out of their own home by threats of violence from gangs of balaclava-wearing young thugs.

Neil Chapman, 25, says that he and his family have to deal with fireworks being put through their letterbox, eggs thrown at them in the street and a torrent of abuse.

He said that some of his neighbours had also suffered abuse from the youths but were too scared to do anything about it. Mr Chapman feels that by going public he may encourage others to go to the authorities with their fears. He lives above a shop in the Cumbrian Way Shopping Precinct in Millbrook, with partner Joanne Baurke, 23, and children Josh, six, Jordan, four, and Bethany, one

"Why should we live in fear?'' he said.

"There have been occasions when some of the youths have put on balaclavas in an attempt not to be recognised. They can be very intimidating. It started off with them kicking a ball against the shop shutters at all hours of the day but has progressed to much worse behaviour."

Insp Howard Povey, based at Shirley police station, said that six youngsters in the Cumbrian Way area were in the process of being put on ABC (Antisocial Behaviour Contracts).

The contracts are signed by a child and their parents outlining what they must do to avoid punishment - such as not hanging around a shopping precinct or harassing their neighbours.

He said: "As well as the ABCs, we have increased beat patrols in the area. We are also looking at CCTV footage of some of the youngsters alleged to have been causing trouble."

Millbrook councillor Peter Wakeford said: "I am aware of the problems in Cumbrian Way and things need to be done."

Fellow local councillor George Melrose said: "There's nothing for the youngsters to do in Cumbrian Way. We need facitilities in the area."

A spokesman for Southampton City Council said: "The disruptive activities of young people at Cumbrian Way shopping area are being investigated by the City Council's local housing office which is liaising with residents and the police to identify those involved.

''The Local Housing Office will be pleased to hear from residents who can identify those implicated in antisocial behaviour contracts and orders, which have proved effective in the area in the past, and tenants, whose children are persistently offensive and disruptive, may also be warned that the council can, and has, evicted families for this behaviour."

A spokeswoman for Swaythling Housing Society said: "We haven't received any complaints and are not aware of any problems with youngsters of families on our Shinewell Gardens estate development in Millbrook."