A GANG of around 50 youths - some of them drunk - have been gathering in Trimley St Mary, upsetting and worrying residents, and causing a trail of vandalism.

A GANG of around 50 youths - some of them drunk - have been gathering in Trimley St Mary, upsetting and worrying residents, and causing a trail of vandalism.

Police though have told residents there is little officers can do to stop the gatherings - and it is up to villagers to provide activities and facilities for the youngsters.

Parish councillors believe the teenagers are coming from west Felixstowe across the new A14 Port of Felixstowe Road footbridge and then Blofield Track to meet up with friends on the green outside the shops in Faulkeners Way.

Graham Harding said: “We feel we are not getting the support necessary to stamp on this anti-social behaviour before it gets worse.

“I am sure if the police sent two special constables to the village when our own officer is on days off, this could be cleaned up.

“We have had groups to 20 to 50 youngsters gathering, and girls as young as 16 paralytic through drink and not been able to stand up. We want the police there to pour this drink away and disperse the group.”

Colin Jacobs said: “I have cleared up sackfuls of bottles from the green and broken glass - these youngsters are drinking all the time. If there was still a deposit on bottles I would make a fortune.”

Insp Steve Gallant, of Felixstowe police, told the parish council dealing with the gatherings was not a policing issue and the community needed to work together to provide a proper solution, finding out what the youngsters want.

“What are you doing as an organisation to provide facilities for the young people in your area? Because this has been going on years and years. We are now chasing the kids of the parents we were chasing before I came here,” he said.

“The community needs to find something to divert them from getting into anti-social behaviour because I don't have the resources to continually police the Trimleys. We can provide patrols but it won't cure the problem.”