A POLICE chief has today reassured residents on the Chantry area of Ipswich that the force is closely monitoring a website portraying youths committing acts of anti-social behaviour in the estate.

A POLICE chief has today reassured residents in Chantry that the force is closely monitoring a website portraying youths committing acts of anti-social behaviour in the estate.

The website shows pictures and video footage of nuisance teenagers walking on cars, being arrested by police and damaging water stopcocks to cause flooding.

Inspector Martin Barnes-Smith said police had been focussing on easing the problems in Chantry.

He continued: “For the last two weeks, we have made dealing with the issue a priority in Ipswich.

“As such we have had increased patrols and officers have met with residents and worked hard to bring the crime rate down.

“We are aware of the website and we are in the throws of carrying out come very positive action.

“We have been working to recover evidence from the site.”

However, he added: “Chantry is not as bad a place as it is portrayed. Incidents of disorder are decreasing.”

The Evening Star understands that many of those featured on the website are already known to police.

Ipswich Borough Council has vowed to assist the police with their enquiries.

David Ellesmere, leader of the council's Labour group, said: “It's a website set up by some of the youths on the Triangle estate.

“They have been detailing some of the anti-social behaviour they have been getting up to over the past weeks and months.

“The council has become aware of it. Anybody watching could not be anything other than disturbed by what is going on.

“We are trying to seek an urgent meeting with police and the borough council community safety officers to see what we can do to stop this behaviour shown on the website.

“I do not think the police will have too much difficult finding the people. I think they are well known to the police already.”

Mr Ellesmere said he hoped any footage on the site would help in identifying those responsible and in any subsequent prosecutions.

Those with information on crimes in the estate are asked to call police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.