ANGRY residents have called for action after being tormented by unruly teenagers.

Families living in Grangecroft Road, Portland, are fed up with the damage being caused to a play area near their homes.

They say the vandalism has included a litter bin being pulled out of the concrete ground and contents emptied all over the park.

Mother of two Jan Johnson moved to Grangecroft Road more than four years ago and believes the situation is getting worse.

She said: "It was mainly just noise but now they are out there at night causing damage. We didn't realise when we moved in here, but if we'd have known we may have thought twice."

Other residents have complained about rubbish, footballs and Tarmac from the park being thrown into their gardens. There are also complaints of obscene language and graffiti and apparent screaming competitions between girls. Mrs Johnson said she has complained to the council but the problem remains.

She added: "They're an absolute pain in the neck, to be perfectly honest.

"Next door get the problem of rubbish in his garden, we get the Tarmac and the other side get the footballs."

Her husband Chris works for a dairy and finds the night-time antics very disruptive when he is trying to sleep. He said: "We are fed up with the verbal abuse when we have been forced to request them to keep the noise down at 11 o'clock at night.

"They seem intent on causing as much damage and chaos as possible.

"The worst part of this is the damage to the play equipment, including the protective surface that has been ripped up and used as missiles."

Mrs Johnson believes the culprits to be between 11 and 17 years old.

She said: "They need to do something with the play area but I don't really know what. Perhaps they could turn it into a car park."

Technical officer at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Graham Newman said: "Vandalism has been an ongoing problem with at least £4,000 having been spent making repairs. I wish vandals would appreciate the pleasure that they're taking away from the toddlers and children who really enjoy using the play area.

"The cost of repairs are coming out of council tax payers pockets so, if anyone has any information, could you please come forward to help us prosecute those responsible."