A FLAGSHIP scheme to transform derelict York properties into dream affordable homes is being devastated by young hooligans.

Police chiefs today condemned developers for failing to provide security at the site in Tedder Road, Slessor Road, and Salmon Road, Acomb.

Residents say they have watched in horror as their half-built houses have been wrecked by vandals before their eyes.

Now council chiefs have revealed they are working to remove a "problem family" from the area.

S Harrison Developments are building almost 150 new homes on the run-down estate. Dozens of former Ministry of Defence houses - many of which have been boarded up for some time - are gradually being demolished, but the site has become a magnet for vandals. Residents claim problem families evicted from other York council estates have been temporarily rehoused in Tedder Road and are making their lives a misery.

They say:

lYoung vandals have torn down walls and pulled out window frames on their half-built homes

lThe estate is a magnet for drug dealers

lThey have suffered verbal and physical abuse

Taxi firms will not drive on to the estate at night.

"We won't even let our children out to play because the estate is so bad," said one resident, who is too frightened to be named.

"I've been waiting for my new house for four years.

"Imagine what it's like to see it being vandalised before we've even moved in?"

A mother-of-two added: "We just seem to be getting anywhere. It has just been a nightmare."

Sergeant Mike Stubbs, of York Police, said the site's developers, Barratt Homes and the Harrison Group, should have provided on-site security.

"They've got to take some steps to reduce the problems for the residents still living there," he said.

"I'm sure they could at least share a security guard."

Sgt Stubbs said the two developers were now looking at working to improve security on both sites.

Ann Marie Douglas, community service with City of York Council, said: "We're aware that a small minority of tenants in the Slessor Road area have been involved in antisocial behaviour, which is making things difficult for their neighbours. We are working with residents and the police, as well as those directly involved to try to resolve the problems.

"However, in some cases this has not been successful and we are currently involved in taking out a possession order against one family so they can be removed from the area."

Craig Smailes, contracts manager for S Harrison Construction, said: "As soon as the police alerted us, we immediately took action to put in place the additional measures necessary to satisfy their concerns."

Updated: 10:58 Monday, June 23, 2003