A frustrated resident is so fed up with youths causing disturbances near his home he plans to record them on video.

Justin Lees, of Kingsway, Hove, says youngsters, who frequently gather in the evenings at Hove Lagoon recreation area repeatedly let off fireworks and smash bottles.

He is annoyed that, despite reporting incidents to the police, nothing seems to get done.

Mr Lees now plans to set up a video recorder at his front window to gain evidence.

Mr Lees, 33, said: "What do I have to do to stop this happening? I am going to set up our video recorder from now on.

"I feel I have to go out there myself and actually make a citizen's arrest for something to be done."

The latest incident happened on Sunday night when Mr Lees and his wife Lisel Hamilton, 35, saw a group of young boys and girls smashing a telephone box.

Mr Lees said: "We called the police. They came out quite quickly, stopped near the youngsters, looked at them then drove away.

"Some of the kids had already run off but there was a group of about six or seven still there sat on the pavement laughing at the police.

"I rang the police back afterwards to ask why they had driven off as I was concerned nothing had been done.

"I was told the officers could not intervene because they did not see them do the damage.

"My wife and I had seen it and left our telephone number with the police but still they could do nothing."

Since the couple moved into their home last July they have witnessed several disturbances.

These included fireworks being let off into the electricity sub-station in the corner of the park and bottles being thrown.

Mr Lees said: "It really annoys me. I do respect the fact the police help a lot of people in the community but something has to be done about these youngsters.

"It is not the noise that bothers us but the danger they are causing."

"There are plenty of other things for young people to do than this."

A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove police confirmed Sunday's incident and said: "We will be increasing police patrols in this area and, if we catch the people responsible, they could be arrested for criminal damage.

"The police need help from witnesses and members of the public who are prepared to get involved. If Mr Lees has footage that is clear, we would use it for prosecution.

"In terms of making citizen's arrests we would advise that, on spotting an incident, people should contact the police."