POLICE bosses are treating calls from a troubled Southampton housing estate as a priority in a bid to curb out-of-control youths plaguing the area.

The move to ease the concerns of residents in and around Millbrook Towers in Windermere Avenue, Millbrook, comes after more than 100 people attended a meeting on youth crime and vigilante action at the area's community centre.

More police have been assigned to patrol the Millbrook Towers area, and resident groups are organising meetings involving local youngsters, police, housing association officers and other agencies in a bid to provide more activities for young people.

Mo Simmons, chairman of Millbrook Towers Residents' and Tenants' Association, said: "We are very pleased that the police are treating our calls as a priority. We have also welcomed more beat policemen in the area.

"The trouble has not been as bad since they started coming around more. I hope it continues.

"I'm in the process of arranging dates and venues for meetings with local youngsters to get things moving on giving them more facilities.

"I think the recent public meeting gave people the chance to get a lot of things off their chest and now we can move forward."

Insp Howard Povey based at Shirley police station had pledged to step up patrols in the area using officers drafted in from quieter parts of the city and has backed calls for more local facilities for youngsters.

The Daily Echo previously reported how a group of 20 locals had hired a van and taken to the streets surrounding Millbrook Towers in a bid to stop youths from carrying out anti-social behaviour.

Among the activities said to be being carried out by young thugs are vandalism, setting fire to parked cars and threats of violence directed at residents and shopkeepers.

Bosses from the First bus company suspended services along Windermere Avenue last month after vandals caused £7,000 damage to bus windows in two days.