HUNDREDS of York council tenants are being warned they could lose their homes if they allow their children to misbehave.

A leaflet has gone to properties in several Tang Hall streets, following a wave of violence and intimidation which has frightened and angered some residents.

The leaflet says the police and City of York Council are extremely concerned about incidents of verbal and physical intimidation, vandalism, criminal damage to properties and cars, and drug-taking and alcohol abuse.

It warns council tenants who allow their children to take part in criminal and anti-social activity that they can lose their home for breaking their tenancy agreement.

One resident claimed today that hooliganism in Tang Hall had reached crisis point, with a band of children "destroying the area" by spending night after night throwing stones and setting off massive fireworks.

She said her sleep was being so badly disturbed that she left her home one night to drive out of York and get some sleep in a horse box which she owned in a field.

She claimed the youngsters, aged between four and 16 - with many under the influence of drugs, which she claimed were openly traded in the street - taunted people with fact that they were too young to be touched by the law.

Keith Grant, who has lived on Constantine Avenue for 14 years, said: "I have had my car windows smashed twice, my shed windows smashed and eggs thrown at the house windows.

"I think it has got worse over the last year. Half of the kids do not go to school so you get it all day and it is worse at night."

One resident, who has lived in the area for more than 70 years, said: "The behaviour of children has got worse. I do not think parents teach them right from wrong - although there are a lot of good ones."

The leaflet, put through letter boxes in several Tang Hall streets, including Constantine Avenue, Etty Avenue and Alcuin Avenue, by the Safer York Partnership, urges anyone witnessing anything illegal or suspicious to report it to police or the estate manager. It also apologises to those whose children are not misbehaving.

Carol Patrick, of the Safer York Partnership, said: "People are responsible for their property and for their children's behaviour."

Are yobs spoiling your life? Send details to: mike.laycock@ycp.co.uk, or by post to Mike Laycock, Evening Press, 76-86, Walmgate, York Y01 5YN.

Updated: 09:49 Saturday, October 18, 2003