FURIOUS residents in Gourock say they are under siege from boozed-up teenagers running riot in their neighbourhood.

Up to 50 youths descended into John Street from Tower Hill in the latest incident on Monday night - after they had completed a 10-hour drinking session.

People living in the area say that local police told them they do not have the resources to deal with the level of disorder, but senior officers today rejected this claim.

Town councillor Ronnie Ahlfeld and fellow independent Lynne Quinn have been inundated with complaints.

Cllr Ahlfeld said: "I raised these problems with the community police and wardens about five weeks ago.

"Monday night was carnage, there were up to 50 youngsters walking down Tower Hill, openly drinking alcohol.

"There were fights amongst them and they were threatening people and property.

"One of my neighbours told me that she saw a boy with blood streaming down his face.

"When the police car and van eventually came it was too late."

One resident who contacted Councillor Ahlfeld stated: "Up to 40 youths descended from the Tower Hill at 10.30pm damaging cars and breaking windows in John Street.

"The police were called but told us that they were unable to do anything as they have no resource as the Chief Constable has directed it all to Paisley."

Councillor Ahlfeld said he was 'alarmed' by this response.

He said: "I'll be taking this up with senior police. I am really concerned, it has to stop."

Cllr Ahlfeld says residents in several streets are being affected when youths exit Tower Hill, as they come down along Broomberry Drive, John Street and disperse along Royal Street and Binnie Street and walk towards the railway station.

He said: "My theory is that a lot of anti-social behaviour is emanating from this as they head home.

"We need to clamp down on this."

Councillor Lynne Quinn said:"This is criminal damage and brings it to a different level to kids hanging out together in the park or at the beach."

One woman who lives in John Street with a young family, said: "I called police and waited 20 minutes and by that time they had all scattered along Royal Street and Binnie Street.

"It was also bad on Saturday night, there was a fire up Tower Hill and the fire brigade were out.

"It's a disgrace and it's going to get worse until something dangerous happens.

"They had been drinking from midday, kicking off wing mirrors and throwing stones and staggering down the street.

"I am also fearful for them, you don't know what could have happened to them.

"If they were my children I wouldn't be allowing it."

The Telegraph reported yesterday how police say they have had to contend with groups of youths up to 150-strong, with some of them as young as 12.

The yobs have also been causing trouble at Craigmuschat Quarry, Lunderston Bay and Inverkip Beach and officers have seized huge amounts of alcohol from underage drinkers.

But senior police insist they do have the resources they need to combat the anti-social acts and add that no order has been given to direct resources to Paisley.

Superintendent Simon Wright, of Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Division, said: "Inverclyde retains its full establishment of local policing officers and specialist working from Greenock Police Office and in actual fact the Divisional Commander recently sanctioned an increase in the current police officer establishment, which I am working towards implementing.

"The majority of the youths are law abiding, with a minority who act in an unacceptable and criminal manner, so it is those who we are targeting and we seek the support of the parents and guardians in this regard.

"We also appreciate that any large crowd gathering can cause residents concern, so we do our upmost to attend and provide those areas effected with a visible police presence."