Vandals plaguing an estate are being targeted in the first campaign of its kind.

Community leaders in Coldean, Brighton, have joined forces with local police for a "carrot and stick" initiative.

New diversionary activities, including sports and discos, will be offered to youngsters while police step up patrols.

Coldean Primary School, the nearby St Mary Magdelen Church, a children's playgroup in the church hall and the library have all suffered smashed windows, graffiti and burglaries.

Many of the 120 residents who answered a recent questionnaire said they were tormented by vandalism, harassment and intimidation. Some said they were living in fear and were too scared to leave their homes, even during daylight hours.

School headteacher Margaret Burdsey said problems caused by a small group of youngsters had been going on for a number of years. The school swimming pool had frequently been targeted.

She said: "They once broke in through a window and emptied toys into the pool and football nets so they could play water polo. They emptied a wheelbarrow full of earth into the water. Sometimes they sit round the pool drinking beer.

"This pool provides a great deal of pleasure for the community and we can't have these youngsters spoiling it."

Mrs Burdsey has helped set up the Coldean Local Action Team (CLAT), which includes church representatives, councillors Pat Hawkes and Tehmtan Framrose and Inspector Steve Curry.

CLAT, the first initiative of its kind in the city, is looking for funding and may get cash from Sussex Police, which provides grants to support local authorities in fighting crime.

Members are worried unless action is taken, anti-social behaviour could shatter the Coldean community.

Mrs Burdsey said school funds were being spent on repairs when they should be going on children's education.

Insp Curry said the questionnaires helped pinpoint times and places where problems occurred and police were now focusing their efforts on trouble spots.

Seven youngsters were arrested recently after an incident. Insp Curry said police would not hesitate to apply for Anti Social Behaviour Orders from courts which could mean curfews and geographic restrictions for offenders.

Parents of troublemakers could be subject to Parenting Orders from the courts and, if they were council tenants, could find their homes at risk.

Councillor Framrose said: "Some people in Coldean may feel we are not working quickly enough but police are taking action and we are making progress.

"We want messages to get across to the community that things are happening and to the troublemakers that this anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. We are determined as a community to tackle this problem.