PEOPLE living in Blackwell want something done about alleged anti-social behaviour from teenagers at a children's home.

A resident, who did not want to be named because of fear of reprisals, said life in the village was being made a misery by youngsters from the Uplands home.

The Uplands is run by Birmingham City Council for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

"We have ongoing problems with people from the Uplands who get onto property and damage cars," she said. "Youngsters always seem to be getting out at the Uplands. In the past there have been incidents of theft and criminal damage. If challenged they can be very abusive and intimidating."

The resident, who claimed to have the support of other people in the village, said action needs to be taken.

"It is time that something is done. They should either close the Uplands or make sure it is properly secured," she added.

Police sergeant Mark Ashford confirmed that police had attended an incident in the village and had returned four young people to the Uplands Children's Home.

"We want to reassure people living locally that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and that we would use the options available to us under legislation for those residing at the Uplands in the same way that we would for anyone else," he said.

A police spokeswoman confirmed that police had been called in the past to incidents connected to the home.

A spokesman for Birmingham City Council said that three young people had left the home without permission to go for a walk last Sunday night.

"All the correct procedures were followed and the police were called to let them know they were off site and three members of staff went to find them. They returned to the home at 10.30pm."