A distressed villager claims his neighbours are too scared to leave their homes because of the anti-social behaviour of a group of youths in the area.

The 42-year-old resident of Long Cutt, Redbourn, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the trouble has been going on for about a month and they have recently had to call the police three times in one night.

He maintained: “They’ve been pulling down fences at the back of our garden and trying to set fire to hedges. One of them pulled a knife out of his pocket and one has been arrested for cannabis. There’s a teacher that lives next to me – they smashed his garage window.

“We’re ringing the police up every night. They come along for 10 minutes and the kids just go away and then they come back again. We rang three times on Saturday night. The police chased the kids down the road, it’s just getting ridiculous now. It’s a waste of police time.”

But a spokesman for Herts Police said two arrests have been made since residents made officers aware of the problems in the area.

A 13-year-old boy from Redbourn was arrested on July 18 on suspicion of being in possession of a bladed article. He has been bailed until August 22.

They also said a 16-year-old boy from the area was arrested on July 17 on suspicion of being in possession of a Class B drug.

Safer Neighbourhood Team Sergeant Tom Fisher said: “We are aware of a number of calls from residents in the Long Cutt area of Redbourn concerning anti-social behaviour. I would like to reassure residents that officers who attend will continue to take positive, robust action in dealing with anyone acting in an anti-social manner.

“This area has been set as a priority for the Safer Neighbourhood Team and officers frequently patrol this area, both overtly and covertly. We will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to those acting anti-socially. Two arrests have already been made in connection with reported incidents of anti-social behaviour.

“We will continue to work closely with local residents and the district council and anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour should call the non-emergency number 101. If a crime is in progress then please call 999.”