POLICE have told youths to play elsewhere after complaints from Cleator Moor residents about anti-social behaviour.

The town council and police have received complaints about young people climbing into gardens, leaving litter and being noisy near Montreal Avenue and Melbreak Avenue.

Youngsters have been using the area between the two roads to play ball games and police say this often results in balls going into residents’ gardens and young people entering the gardens to retrieve them.

PCSO Alan Willison said: “The youngsters have been simply entering the gardens with no concern for people’s property. Some of the residents are elderly and can feel intimidated by the youngsters being in their gardens.

“It is a pity this is happening as there is a large play park not far away on Jacktrees Road and another large green area down Buckle Avenue where the youngsters could play these types of games with no issues to residents at all.”

He added that patrols will be targeting the affected areas at random times over the coming days and weeks. Officers often check the area and speak with the youngsters who are carrying out this behaviour and advise them accordingly.

Town council clerk Helen Gilmour said the land belongs to Home Group and nearby residents have been calling for a “no ball games” sign to combat the problem.

Home Group confirmed it owned the land, but said it has had no complaints about the problem.

Lisa Russell, Home Group head of customer service, said: “We haven’t received any complaints from residents about ball games between Montreal Avenue and Melbreak Avenue. If residents report an issue to us we’ll investigate.”